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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
AT   LOS  ANGELES 


GIFT  OF 

Eugene  E.   Prussing 


DIARY 


/WA 


SHINGTON 


I  IKi.M  INK  FIKST  DAY  OF  OCTOl'.KU.  1789, 


THE  TKXTH  DAY  OF  MARCH,  1790. 


NO\V    FIRST    PUIN'TKI). 


NEW    YORK: 

1858. 


Sfrurrti. 


CD 


10 

> 

O 


Jlo_ 


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270583 


FROM  A   MINIATURE  BY   ROBERTSON. 


INTRODUCTORY  REMARKS. 


IT  has  been  truthfully  said  that  posterity  loves  details.  When  we  con- 
template the  men  who  have  lived  before  us,  and  left  impressions  of  their 
acts  upon  the  social  aspect  of  the  generation  in  which  they  moved,  we  fed 
a  great  desire  to  become  acquainted  with  the  details  of  their  daily  lives — 
how  they  spent  their  time  not  devoted  to  those  public  duties  which  have 
given  them  a  title  to  a  place  in  history — what  were  their  recreations  in 
times  of  leisure,  and  who  were  their  family  associates  and  their  chosen  com- 
panions in  private.  Historic  men  really  form  a  part  of  our  own  being,  for 
the  man  of  to-day  is  only  the  more  complete  man  of  a  thousand  years  ago, 
made  so  by  the  intervening  experiences.  In  this  unity,  felt,  even  though 
not  comprehended  by  us  all,  doubtless  lies  the  secret  spring  of  our  yearn- 
ings for  knowledge  respecting  the  past  life  of  the  race,  and  makes  History 
and  Biography  special  delights, 


Vi  INTRODUCTORY   REMARKS. 

Of  all  the  records  of  men's  doings,  none  possess  so  lively  an  interest, 
because  evidently  truthful,  as  DIARIES — the  current  history  of  the  common 
every-day  life  of  the  men  who  made  the  chronicles  of  moving  events,  even 
while  the  majestic  procession  of  the  hours  was  passing  by.  In  these  Pos- 
terity find  those  details  they  so  much  love.  The  general  historian  must 
necessarily  omit  many  of  them  ;  and  the  biographer  too  often  leaves  them 
unnoticed  while  unfolding  to  view  the  public  acts  of  his  subject.  And  so 
the  world  loses  the  best  elements  of  history,  by  which  one  age  may  judge 
philosophically  of  the  character  of  another,  which  is  revealed  by  the 
knowledge  of  their  common  life. 

There  is  a  continual  and  rapid  growth  of  a  desire  in  the  hearts  of  Ameri- 
cans to  know  more  and  more  of  the  life  and  character  of  Washington,  in 
all  minute  details.  We  listen  with  the  most  eager  attention  to  the  words 
of  revered  men  (now  so  few)  who  have  seen  the  FATHER  or  HIS  COUNTRY  ; 
and  the  memory  receives  these  narratives  so  perfectly  that,  amid  the  thou- 
sand other  impressions,  they  are  never  effaced.  Fortunately  for  posterity, 
Washington  was  eminently  a  man  of  method.  He  was  careful  about  small 
things  as  well  as  great ;  and  it  was  his  custom,  from  his  early  years,  to 
make  a  record  of  the  events  of  his  daily  life,  for  future  reference.  This 
habit  he  continued  until  the  close  of  his  life;  and  these  notes,  kept  in 
books  convenient  in  size  for  carrying  in  the  pocket,  furnish  some  of  the 
most  interesting  pictures  of  the  habits,  and  modes  of  thinking  of  the 
beloved  Hero  and  Sage,  that  have  come  down  to  us.  Many  of  them  have 
disappeared,  and  are  doubtless  lost  forever.  Like  the  Sybilline  leaves, 
they  are  becoming  more  precious  as  their  numbers  decrease ;  and  we  ought 
to  take  special  care  that  the  contents  of  those  that  remain  shall  not  be  lost. 
To  do  this,  the  agency  of  the  printing  press  must  be  evoked  in  multi- 
plying copies,  in  numbers  sufficient  to  guarantee  the  preservation  of  the 
precious  words. 

The  DIARY  printed  on  the  following  pages  is  one  of  the  most  interesting 
of  Washington's  private  recordf,  made  when  he  and  his  compatriots  were 
arranging  and  putting  in  motion  the  machinery  of  our  federal  government. 
The  original  forms  one  of  a  series  yet  in  existence,  and  is  numbered  "13" 
on  the  back.  It  is  in  a  small  oblong  volume,  about  four  inches  in  width 
and  six  in  length,  containing  sixty-six  leaves.  In  this  printed  copy,  a  few 
illustrative  and  explanatory  notes  have  been  inserted,  to  render  some 
observations  clearer  to  the  reader. 


INTRODUCTORY    REMARKS.  Vll 

The  small  portrait  at  the  head  of  these  introductory  remarks  was  copied 
by  the  annotator  from  a  miniature  painted  by  Archibald  Robertson,  in  1791, 
who  came  to  America  in  the  spring  of  that  year.  It  has  never  been 
printed  before.  Robertson  was  the  bearer  to  Washington  of  a  box  made  of 
wood  of  the  oak  tree  that  sheltered  Wallace  after  the  battle  of  Falkirk.  It 
was  a  gift  to  the  First  President,  from  the  Earl  of  Buchan.  The  box  had 
been  presented  to  the  Earl  by  the  Goldsmith's  Company,  at  Edinburgh,  and 
from  them  he  obtained  leave  to  present  it  "to  the  only  man  in  the  world 
to  whom  he  thought  it  justly  due."  The  President  and  Mrs.  Washington 
both  sat  to  Mr.  Robertson.  From  the  miniature  of  the  former,  the  artist 
painted  a  large  picture  in  oil,  which  he  sent  to  the  Earl  of  Buchan,  by 
Colonel  Tobias  Lear.  It  will  be  observed  that  Washington's  artificial 
teeth  were  not  in  his  mouth  when  this  picture  was  made. 

B.   J.  L. 

New  York,  April,  1858. 


lit 


OCTOBER,    1789. 
THURSDAY,  1st. 

Exercised  in  my  carriage  in  the  forenoon. 

The  following  company  dined  here  to-day,  viz  : 

Mr.  Read,  of  the  Senate,  Col°  Bland  and  Mr.  Madison, 
of  the  House  of  Representatives,  Mr.  Osgood  and  his  lady, 
Col°-  Duer,  his  lady  and  Miss  Brown,  Col°-  Lewis  Morris 
and  lady,  lady  Christiana  Griffin  and  her  daughter,  and 
Judge  Duane  and  Mr.  Greene. 

Mr.  Thomas  Nelson  joined  my  family  this  day. 

Dispatched  many  of  the  Com'ns  for  the  Judiciary  Judges, 
Marshalls  and  Attorneys  this  day,  with  the  Acts. 

FRIDAY,  2d. 

Dispatching  Commissions,  &c.,  as  yesterday,  for  the  Ju- 
diciary. 

The  visitors  to  Mrs.  Washington  this  evening  were  not 

numerous. 

SATURDAY,  3d. 

Sat  for  Mr.  Rammage  near  two  hours  to-day,  who  was 
drawing  a  miniature  picture  of  me  for  Mrs.  Washington.1 


1.  John  Eamage  was  a  native  of  Ireland.  He  married  a  lady  in  Boston, 
and  went  to  Halifax  with  the  British  troops  in  the  spring  of  1776.  Early 
in  1777,  he  established  himself  as  a  miniature  painter,  in  William  street, 
New  York,  where  he  "continued  to  paint  all  the  military  heroes  or  beaux 
of  the  garrison,  and  all  the  belles  of  the  place,"  says  Dunlap.  For  many 
years  after  the  war,  he  continued  to  be  the  best  miniature  painter  in  New 
York,  and  occasionally  made  crayon  or  pastil  sketches  of  life  size.  He  is 
represented  as  a  handsome  and  fashionable  man,  of  middle  size,  an  intelli- 
gent countenance  and  lively  expression.  He  wore  a  scarlet  coat,  with 


12  DIABY   OF 

Walked  in  the  afternoon,  and  sat  about  two  o'clock  for 
Madam  de  Brehan,  to  complete  a  miniature  profile  of  me, 
which  she  had  begun  from  memory,  and  which  she  had 
made  exceedingly  like  the  original.2 

SUNDAY,  4th. 

Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel3  in  the  forenoon.  Spent  the 
remainder  of  the  day  in  writing  private  letters  for  to-mor- 
row's post. 

MONDAY,  5th. 

Dispatched  the  Commissions  to  all  the  Judges  of  the 
Supreme  and  District  Courts  ;  and  to  the  Marshalls  and 
Attorneys — and  accompanied  them  with  all  the  Acts  re- 
specting the  Judiciary  Department. 

Exercised  on  horseback  between  the  hours  of  9  and  11, 
in  the  forenoon,  and  between  5  and  6  in  the  afternoon, 
on  foot. 

Had  conversation  with,  Col°-  Hamilton  on  the  propriety 
of  my  making  a  tour  through  the  Eastern  States  during  the 
recess  of  Congress,  to  acquire  knowledge  of  the  face  of  the 


mother-of-pearl  buttons,  a  white  silk  waistcoat  embroidered  with  colored 
flowers,  black  satin  breeches  and  paste  knee-buckles,  white  silk  stockings, 
large  silver  shoe-buckles,  a  small  cocked  hat,  well  powdered  curls,  and  car- 
ried a  gold-headed  cane  and  gold  snuff-box.  He  died  soon  after  painting 
the  miniature  of  Washington. 

2.  This  was  the  Marchioness  de  Brehan,  (or  Brienne,)  sister  of  the  Count 
de  Moustier,  Minister  from  France,  who,  with  her  son,  accompanied  her 
brother  to  this  country.     They  all  visited  Mount  Vernon  in  the  autumn  of 
1788.    The  "miniature  in  profile  "  of  the  first  President  which  she  made 
in  New  York,  was  engraved  in  Paris,  and  several  impressions  of  it  were 
ent  to  Washington  the  following  summer. — See  Count  de  Moustier 's  let 
ter  to  Washington,  May  11,  1790,  and  Washington's  letter  to  the  Count- 
November  1,  1790,  in  Spark's  Life  and  Writings  of  Washington. 

3.  Washington's  pew  in  St.-  Paul's  chapel  was  on  the  north  side,  under 
the  gallery,  about  half  way  between  the  chancel  and  the  vestry  room. 


WASHINGTON.  13 

country,  the  growth  and  agriculture  thereof — and  the  tem- 
per and  disposition  of  the  inhabitants  towards  the  new 
government,  who  thought  it  a  very  desirable  plan,  and 
advised  it  accordingly. 

TUESDAY,  6th. 

Exercised  in  a  carriage  with  Mrs.  Washington  in  the 
forenoon. 

Conversed  with  Gen.  Knox,  Secretary  at  War,  on  the 
above  tour,  who  also  recommended  it  accordingly. 

Signed  Letters  of  Instruction  to  the  Governor  of  the 
Western  Territory  respecting  the  situation  of  matters  in 
that  quarter.  And  authorized  him,  in  case  the  hostile  dis- 
position of  the  Indians  was  such  as  to  make  it  necessary  to 
call  out  the  Militia,  and  time  would  not  allow  him  to  give 
me  previous  notice  of  it,  to  apply  to  the  States  of  Virginia 
and  Pennsylvania  for  a  number  not  exceeding  1,500  ;  one 
thousand  of  which  to  be  taken  from  the  former,  and  five 
hundred  from  the  latter. 

WEDNESDAY,  7th. 

Exercised  on  horseback,  and  called  on  the  Vice-Presi- 
dent. In  the  afternoon  walked  an  hour. 

Mr.  Jay  communicated  the  purpt.  of  the  Instructions  re- 
ceived by  Sir  John  Temple,  British  Consul,  from  the  Duke 
of  Leeds,  Secretary  for  Foreign  Affairs,  viz  : 
Trade.     How  many  foreign  vessels — of  what  nations — 

whether  from  Europe  or  their  Colonies. 
What  tonnage — whether  any  and  what  difference  between 

British  and  others — what  on  American. 
What  Port  charges  on  foreign  vessels — whether  any  and 

what  difference,  <fec. 

What  duties  on  foreign  goods — whether  any  and  what 
difference  as  to  the  Countries  producing,  and  vessels 
bringing  them — number  of  vessels  built,  where,  &c. 
3 


14  DIARY   OP 

Staple  Commodities. — Whether  they  encrease  or  dimin- 
ish—which— in  what  degree — and  why. 
Manufactures — what — where — whether  and  how  encour- 
aged. 

Emigrations — From  Europe,  in  what    numbers — from 
where — whether  and  how  encouraged,  &c. — from  Uni- 
ted States — to  British  and  Spanish  territories,  <fec. 
Population — whether  generally,  or  partially  encreasing, 

or  diminishing,  and  from  what  causes. 
Justice — Whether  there  be  any,  and  what  obstructions, 
and  where,  to  the  recovery  of  British  Debts  according 
to  treaty. 

Upon  consulting  Mr.  Jay  on  the  propriety  of  my  intended 
tour  into  the  Eastern  States,  he  highly  approved  of  it,  but 
observed,  a  similar  visit  w'd  be  expected  by  those  of  the 
Southern.4 

With  the  same  gentleman  I  had  conversation  on  the  pro- 
priety of  tak'g  informal  means  of  ascertain'g  the  views  of 
the  British  Court  with  respect  to  our  Western  Posts  in 
their  possession,  and  to  a  Commercial  treaty.  He  thought 
steps  of  this  sort  advisable,  and  mentioned  as  a  fit  person 
for  this  purpose,  a  Doctr.  Bancroft,5  as  a  man  in  whom  en- 
tire confidence  might  be  placed. 


4.  Washington  visited  the  Southern  States  in  the  spring  of  1791.  He  set 
out  at  about  the  middle  of  March,  and  was  gone  three  months,  during 
which  time  he  performed  a  journey  of  about  nineteen  hundred  miles,  with 
the  same  span  of  horses.  He  followed  the  seaboard  to  Savannah,  visited 
Augusta,  and  returned  by  way  of  the  ulterior  of  the  Carolinas  and  Virginia. 

6.  Edward  Bancroft,  M.D  ,  was  an  American  by  birth,  but  settled  as  a 
physician  in  London.  He  was  intimate  with  Dr.  Franklin,  and  a  friend  to 
the  American  cause  during  the  war  for  independence.  He  was  with  Silas 
Deane,  in  Paris,  for  some  time  ;  and  in  the  diplomatic  operations  of  the 
United  States,  during  the  war,  he  was  an  efficient  auxiliary.  Dr.  Bancroft 
was  a  Fellow  of  the  Royal  Society  of  London,  and  gained  much  repute  as 
author  of  ' '  An  Essay  on  the  Natural  History  of  Guiana.' ' 


WASHINGTON.  15 

Col°-  Hamilton  on  the  same  subject  highly  approved 
of  the  measure,  but  thought  Mr.  Gouv'r.  Morris  well 
qualified. 

THURSDAY,  8th. 

Mr.  Gardoqui6  took  leave,  proposing  to  embark  to-mor- 
row for  Spain. 

The  following  company  dined  with  me  to-day,  viz  : 

The.Vice-President,  his  lady  and  son  and  her  niece,  with 
their  son-in-law,  Col°-  Smith  and  his  lady — Governor  Clin- 
ton and  his  two  eldest  daughters — Mr.  Dalton  and  his  lady, 
their  son-in-law,  Mr.  Dubois,  and  his  lady,  and  their  other 
three  daughters. 

In  the  evening,  the  Count  de  Moustier  and  Madam  de 
Brehan  came  in  and  sat  an  hour. 

Mr.  Madison  took  his  leave  to-day.  He  saw  no  impro- 
priety in  my  trip  to  the  eastward  ;  but  with  respect  to  the 
private  agent  to  ascertain  the  disposition  of  the  British 
Court  with  respect  to  the  Western  Posts  and  a  Commercial 
treaty,  he  thought  if  the  necessity  did  not  press,  it  would 
be  better  to  wait  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Jefferson,  who  might 
be  able  to  give  the  information  wanted  on  this  head— and 
with  me  thought  that  if  Mr.  Gouv'r.  Morris  was  employed 
in  this  business,  it  would  be  a  commitment  for  his  appoint- 
ment as  Minister,  if  one  should  be  sent  to  that  Court,  or 
wanted  at  Versailles  in  place  of  Mr.  Jefferson,  and  more- 
over if  either  of  these  was  his  wish,  whether  his  represent- 
ations might  not  be  made  with  an  eye  to  it.  He  thought 
with  Col"-  Hamilton,  and  as  Mr.  Jay  also  does,  that  Mr. 
Morris  is  a  man  of  superior  talents — but  with  the  latter 
that  his  imagination  sometimes  runs  ahead  of  his  judgment 
—that  his  manners  before  he  is  known,  and  where  known, 


6.  Spanish  diplomatic  agent,  who  cauie  to  the  United  States  in  1785. 


16  DIARY    OF 

had  created  opinions  of  himself  that  were  not  favourable  to 
him,  and  which  he  did  not  merit.7 

FRIDAY,  9th. 

Exercised  on  horseback  between  the  hours  of  9  and  11. 
Visited  in  my  route  the  gardens  of  Mr.  Perry  and  Mr. 
Williamson.8 

Received  from  the  French  Minister,  in  person,  official 
notice  of  his  having  reed,  leave  to  return  to  his  Court,  and 
intended  embarcation — and  the  orders  of  his  Court  to  make 
the  following  communication,  viz  : 

That  his  Majesty  was  pleased  at  the  alteration  which  had 
taken  place  in  our  Government,  and  congratulated  this 
Country  on  the  choice  they  had  made  of  a  Presid't. 

He  added  that  Tie  should  take  care  to  make  a  favourable 
representation  of  the  present  state  of  things  here  to  his  Mas- 
ter, who  he  doubted  not  would  be  much  pleased  therewith. 
Hitherto  he  observed  that  the  Government  of  this  Country 
had  been  of  so  fluctuating  a  nature,  no  confidence  could  be 
placed  on  its  proceedings  ;  wh'h  caused  foreign  nations  to 
be  cautious  of  entering  into  Treaties,  &c.  with  the  United 
States.  But  under  the  present  Government  there  is  a  head 
to  look  up  to — and  power  being  put  into  the  hands  of  its 
officers,  stability  will  be  derived  from  its  doings. 

The  visitors  this  evening  to  Mrs.  Washington  were  re- 
spectable, both  of  gentlemen  and  ladies. 


7.  Mr.  Morris  was  then  in  France,  but  not  in  any  official  capacity.     He 
was  intrusted  with  the  business  alluded  to,  and  Washington  prepared  the 
necessary  credentials  for  him  on  the  13th  of  October. 

8.  Perry's  garden  was  on  the  west  side  of  the  Bloomingdale  road,  west  of 
the  present  Union  Square,  and  occupied  the  ground  whereon  the  Church 
of  the  Puritans  and  other  edifices  now  stand.     Williamson's  was  a  flower 
and  nursery  garden,  and  a  place  of  public  resort,  on  the  east  side  of  Green- 
wich street,  extending  about  three  squares  up  from  Harrison  street. 


WASHINGTON.  17 

SATURDAY,  10th. 

Pursuant  to  an  engagement  formed  on  Thursday  last,  I 
set  off  about  9  o'clock  in  my  barge  to  visit  Mr.  Prince's 
fruit  gardens  and  shrubberies  at  Flushing,  on  Long  Island. 
The  Vice-President,  Governor  of  the  State,  Mr.  Izard, 
Col°-  Smith  and  Majr.  Jackson  accompanied  me. 

These  gardens,  except  in  the  number  of  young  fruit  trees, 
did  not  answer  my  expectations.  The  shrubs  were  trifling, 
and  the  flowers  not  numerous. 

The  inhabitants  of  this  place  shewed  us  what  respect 
they  could,  by  making  the  best  use  of  one  cannon  to  salute. 

On  our  return  we  stopped  at  the  seats  of  General  and 
Mr.  Gouvernr.  Morris,  and  viewed  a  barn,  of  which  I  have 
heard  the  latter  speak  much,  belonging  to  his  farm — but  it 
was  not  of  a  construction  to  suit  my  fancy — nor  did  the 
conveniences  of  it  at  all  answer  the  cost.  From  hence  we 
proceeded  to  Harlaem,  where  we  were  met  by  Mrs.  Wash- 
ington, Mrs.  Adams  and  Mrs.  Smith.  Dined  at  the  tavern 
kept  by  a  Capt.  Marriner,9  and  came  home  in  the  evening. 

SUNDAY,  llth. 
At  home  all  day — writing  private  letters. 

MONDAY,  12th. 

Received  the  compliments  of  the  Count  de  Penthere, 
commanding  his  most  Christian  Majesty's  Squadron  in  the 
harbour  of  Boston — these  were  sent  by  the  Marquis  de 
Traversy  in  the  Active  Frigate ;  who,  with  all  his  officers 
were  presented  by  the  French  Minister  about  one  o'clock. 

9.  Captain  Marriner  was  an  eccentric  character,  and  was  associated  with 
Captain  Hyler  in  whale-boat  warfare  in  the  vicinity  of  New  York,  during  a 
part  of  the  Ee volution.  On  one  occasion  he  was  concerned  in  an  attempt 
to  capture  Mayor  Mathews  and  other  violent  Tories,  who  resided  at  Flat- 
bush,  near  Brooklyn.  Marriner  lived  at  Harlem  and  on  Ward's  Island,  for 
many  years  after  the  war,  and  kept  a  tavern  at  each  place. 


18-  DIARY    OF 

TUESDAY,  13th. 

At  two  o'clock  received  the  Address  from  the  People 
called  Quakers. 

A  good  many  gentlemen  attended  the  Levee  this  day. 

WEDNESDAY,  14th. 

Wrote  several  letters  to  France,  and  about  7  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon  made  an  informal  visit  with  Mrs.  Washing- 
ton to  the  Count  de  Moustier  and  Madame  de  Brehan,  to 
take  leave  of  them.  Into  the  hands  of  the  former  I  com- 
mitted these  letters,  viz  :  to  the  Count  de  Estaing,  Count 
de  Rochambeau,  the  Marqs.  de  la  Fayette  and  the  Marqs. 
de  la  Rouirie. 

Having  resolved  to  write  to  Mr.  Gouvr.  Morris,  to  re- 
quest as  a  private  agent  that  he  wd.  sound  the  intention  of 
the  British  Ministry  with  respect  to  their  fulfilment  of  the 
Treaty — and  dispositions  towards  a  Commercial  Treaty 
with  us,  the  letters  were  prepared  and  lodged  in  the  hands 
of  Mr.  Jay  to  forward. 

THURSDAY,  15th. 

Commenced  my  Journey  about  9  o'clock  for  Boston  and 
a  tour  through  the  Eastern  States. 

The  Chief  Justice,  Mr.  Jay — and  the  Secretaries  of  the 
Treasury  and  War  Departments  accompanied  me  some  dis- 
tance out  of  the  city.  About  10  o'clock  it  began  to  Rain, 
and  continued  to  do  so  till  11,  when  we  arrived  at  the 
house  of  one  Hoyatt,  who  keeps  a  Tavern  at  Kings-bridge, 
where  we,  that  is,  Major  Jackson,  Mr.  Lear  and  myself, 
With  six  servants,  which  composed  my  Retinue,  dined. 
After  dinner,  through  frequent  light  showers  we  proceed'd 
to  the  Tavern  of  a  Mrs.  Haviland  at  Rye  ;  who  keeps  a 
very  neat  and  decent  Inn. 

The  Road  for  the  greater  part,  indeed  the  whole  way, 


WASHINGTON.  19 

was  very  rough  and  stoney,  but  the  Land  strong,  well  cov- 
ered with  grass  and  a  luxuriant  crop  of  Indian  Corn  inter- 
mixed with  Pompions  (which  were  yet  ungathered)  in  the 
fields.  We  met  four  droves  of  Beef  Cattle  for  the  New 
York  Market,  (about  30  in  a  drove)  some  of  which  were 
very  fine — also  a  flock  of  Sheep  for  the  same  place.  We 
scarcely  passed  a  farm  house  that  did  not  abd.  in  Geese. 

Their  Cattle  seemed  to  be  of  a  good  quality,  and  their 
hogs  large,  but  rather  long  legged.  No  dwelling  house  is 
seen  without  a  Stone  or  Brick  Chimney,  and  rarely  any 
without  a  shingled  roof — generally  the  sides  are  of  shingles 
also. 

The  distance  of  this  day's  travel  was  31  miles,  in  which 
we  passed  through  (after  leaving  the  Bridge)  East  Chester, 
New  Rochelle  and  Mamaroneck;  but  as  these  places  (though 
they  have  houses  of  worship  in  them)  are  not  regularly  laid 
out,  they  are  scarcely  to  be  distinguished  from  the  inter- 
mediate farms,  which  are  very  close  together — and  separa- 
ted, as  one  Inclosure  from  another  is,  by  fences  of  stone, 
which  are  indeed  easily  made,  as  the  country  is  immensely 
stoney.  Upon  inquiry  we  find  their  crops  of  Wheat  and 
Rye  have  been  abundant — though  of  the  first  they  had  sown 
rather  sparingly  on  acct.  of  the  destruction  which  had  of 
late  years  been  made  of  that  grain  by  what  is  called  the 

Hessian  fly.10 

FRIDAY,  16th. 

About  7  o'clock  we  left  the  Widow  Haviland's,  and  after 
passing  Horse  Neck,  six  miles  distant  from  Rye,  the  Road 
through  which  is  hilly  and  immensely  stoney,  and  trying  to 


10.  A  small  two-winged  fly  or  midge,  which  has  long  been  very  destruc- 
tive to  young  wheat  in  the  United  States.  It  has  now  almost  disappeared. 
It  was  a  common  opinion  that  it  was  brought  from  Europe  by  the  Hessians, 
as  the  German  troops  were  called,  who  came  over  in  the  pay  of  Great 
Britain,  in  1776. 


20  DIARY   OF 

Wheels  and  Carriages,  we  breakfasted  at  Stamford,  which 
is  6  miles  further,  (at  one  Webb's,)  a  tolerable  good  house, 
but  not  equal  in  appearance  or  reality  to  Mrs.  Haviland's. 
In  this  Town  are  an  Episcopal  Church  and  a  meeting  house. 
At  Norwalk,  which  is  ten  miles  further,  we  made  a  halt  to 
feed  our  Horses.  To  the  lower  end  of  this  town  Sea  Ves- 
sels come,  and  at  the  other  end  are  Mills,  Stores,  and  an 
Episcopal  and  Presbyterian  Church. 

From  hence  to  Fairfield,  where  we  dined  and  lodged,  is 
12  miles ;  and  part  of  it  very  rough  Road,  but  not  equal  to 
that  thro'  Horse  Neck.  The  superb  Landscape,  however, 
which  is  to  be  seen  from  the  meeting  house  of  the  latter  is 
a  rich  regalia.  We  found  all  the  Farmers  busily  employed 
in  gathering,  grinding,  and  expressing  the  Juice  of  their 
apples  ;  the  crop  of  which  they  say  is  rather  above  medioc- 
rity. The  average  crop  of  Wheat  they  add,  is  about  15 
bushels  to  the  acre  from  their  fallow  land — often  20,  and 
from  that  to  25.  The  Destructive  evidences  of  British 
cruelty  are  yet  visible  both  in  Norwalk  and  Fairfield  ;  as 
there  are  the  chimneys  of  many  burnt  houses  standing  in 
them  yet.  The  principal  export  from  Norwalk  and  Fair- 
field  is  Horses  and  Cattle — salted  Beef  and  Pork — Lum- 
ber and  Indian  Corn,  to  the  West  Indies,  and  in  a  small 
degree  Wheat  and  Flour. 

SATURDAY,  17th. 

A  little  after  sun-rise  we  left  Fairfield,  and  passing 
through  Et.  Fairfield  breakfasted  at  Stratford,  wch.  is  ten 
miles  from  Fairfield,  and  is  a  pretty  village  over  near  Strat- 
ford Rivr.  The  Road  between  these  two  places  is  not  on 
the  whole  bad  (for  this  country) — in  some  places  very  gd., 
especially  through  Et.  Fairfield,  wch.  is  in  a  plain,  and  free 
from  stone. 

There  are  two  decent  looking  Churches  in  this  place, 


WASHINGTON.  21 

though  small,  viz  :  an  Episcopal,  and  Presbyterian  or  Con- 
gregationalist  (as  they  call  themselves).  At  Stratford 
there  is  the  same.  At  this  place  I  was  received  with  an 
effort  of  Military  parade  ;  and  was  attended  to  the  Ferry, 
which  is  near  a  mile  from  the  center  of  the  Town,  by  sevl. 
Gentlemen  on  horseback.  Doctr.  Johnson1]of  the  Senate, 
visited  me  here,  being  with  Mrs.  Johnson  in  this  Town, 
(where  he  formerly  resided).  The  Ferry  is  near  half  a 
mile  ;  and  sometimes  much  incommoded  by  winds  and  cross 
tides.  The  navigation  for  vessels  of  about  75  Tons  extends 
up  to  Danby,  ten  miles  higher,  where  it  is  said  there  is  a 
pretty  brisk  trade.  At  Stratford  they  are  establishing  a 
manufactory  of  Duck,  and  have  lately  turned  out  about  400 
bolts.  From  the  Ferry  it  is  abt.  3  miles  to  Milford,  which 
is  situated  in  more  uneven  and  stony  grd.  than  the  last  3 
villages  through  wch.  we  passed.  In  this  place  there  is 
but  one  Church,  or  in  other  words,  but  one  steeple — but 
there  are  Grist  and  Saw  mills,  and  a  handsome  Cascade 
over  the  Tumbling  dam  ;  but  one  of  the  prettiest  things  of 
this  kind  is  at  Stamford,  occasioned  also  by  damming  the 
water  for  their  mills  ;  it  is  near  100  yds.  in  width,  and  the 
water  now  being  of  a  proper  height,  and  the  rays  of  the  sun 
striking  upon  it  as  we  passed,  had  a  pretty  effect  upon  the 
foaming  water  as  it  fell.  From  Milford  we  took  the  lower 
road  through  West  haven,  part  of  which  was  good  and  part 
rough,  and  arrived  at  New  Haven  before  two  o'clock  ;  we 
had  time  to  walk  through  several  parts  of  the  City  before 
Dinner.  By  taking  the  lower  Road  we  missed  a  Commit- 
tee of  the  Assembly,  who  had  been  appointed  to  wait  upon 

11.  William  Samuel  Johnson,  LL.D.,  who  was  a  member  of  the  "  Stamp 
Act  Congress,"  held  at  New  York,  in  1765,  and  was  active  in  public  life 
for  about  forty  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  convention  that  framed 
the  Federal  Constitution ;  was  the  first  Senator  from  Connecticut  in  the 
new  Congress;  and  was  President  of  Columbia  College  from  1792  until  1800. 

4 


22  DIARY    OF 

and  escort  me  into  town — to  prepare  an  address — and  to 
conduct  me  when  I  should  leave  the  City  as  far  as  they 
should  judge  proper.  The  address  was  presented  at  7 
o'clock — and  at  nine  I  received  another  address  from  the 
Congregational  Clergy  of  the  place.  Between  the  rect.  of 
the  two  addresses  I  received  the  Compliment  of  a  visit 
from  the  Govr.  Mr.  Huntington — the  Lieut.  Govr.  Mr. 
Wolcott — and  the  Mayor,  Mr.  Roger  Sherman. 

The  City  of  New-haven  occupies  a  good  deal  of  ground, 
but  is  thinly,  though  regularly  laid  out  and  built.  The 
number  of  Souls  in  it  are  said  to  be  about  4000.  There  is 
an  Episcopal  Church  and  3  Congregational  Meeting  Houses 
and  a  College,  in  which  there  are  at  this  time  about  120 
Students  under  auspices  of  Doctr.  Styles.  The  Harbour  of 
this  place  is  not  good  for  large  vessels — abt.  16  belong  to 
it.  The  Linnen  manufacture  does  not  appear  to  be  of  so 
much  importance  as  I  had  been  led  to  believe.  In  a  word, 
I  could  hear  but  little  of  it.  The  Exports  from  this  City 
are  much  the  same  as  from  Fairfield,  &c.,  and  flax  seed, 
(chiefly  to  New  York).  The  Road  from  Kingsbridge  to 
this  place  runs  as  near  the  Sound  as  the  Baj's  and  Inlets 
will  allow,  but  from  hence  to  Hartford  it  leaves  the  Sound 
and  runs  more  to  the  Northward. 

SUNDAY,  18th. 

Went  in  the  forenoon  to  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  in 
the  afternoon  to  one  of  the  Congregational  Meeting- 
Houses.  Attended  to  the  first  by  the  Speaker  of  the  As- 
sembly, Mr.  Edwards,  and  a  Mr.  Ingersoll,  and  to  the  latter 
by  the  Governor,  the  Lieut.  Governor,  the  Mayor,  and 
Speaker. 

These  Gentlemen  all  dined  with  me,  (by  invitation,)  as 
did  Geul.  Huntington.  at  the  House  of  Mr.  Brown,  where 
I  lodged,  and  who  keeps  a  good  Tavern.  Drank  Tea  at 


WASHINGTON.  23 

the  Mayor's  (Mr.  Sherman).  Upon  further  inquiry  I  find 
that  there  has  been  abt.  —  -  yards  of  coarse  Linnen  manu- 
factured at  this  place  since  it  was  established — and  that  a 
Glass  work  is  on  foot  here  for  the  manufacture  of  Bottles. 
At  7  o'clock  in  the  evening  many  Officers  of  this  State,  be- 
longing to  the  late  Continental  army,  called  to  pay  their 
respects  to  me.  By  some  of  them  it  was  said  that  the  peo- 
ple of  this  State  could,  with  more  ease  pay  an  additional 
100,000<£.  tax  this  year  than  what  was  laid  last  year. 

MONDAY,  19th. 

Left  New-haven  at  6  o'clock,  and  arrived  at  Wallingford 
(13  miles)  by  half  after  8  o'clock,  where  we  breakfasted,  and 
took  a  walk  through  the  Town.  In  coming  to  it  we  passed 
thro'  East  Haven  about  midway  ;  after  riding  along  the 
river  of  that  name  6  miles,  on  which  are  extensive  marshes 
now  loaded  with  hay  stacks — the  ride  is  very  pleasant,  but 
the  Road  is  sandy,  which  it  continues  to  be  within  a  mile  of 
the  Tavern  (Carrington's,  which  is  but  an  ordinary  house,) 
at  Wallingford.  This  and  about  five  miles  of  the  Road 
beyond — that  is  west  of  New-haven — is  all  the  sand  we 
have  met  with  on  the  journey.  These  Sandy  lands  afford 
but  ordinary  Crops  of  Corn — nor  have  the  Crops  of  this 
grain  East  of  Stratford  River  appeared  as  heavy  as  on  the 
West  side  of  it.  The  Lands  (Stone  being  less)  are  in  part 
enclosed  with  Posts  and  Rails.  At  this  place  (Wallingford) 
we  see  the  white  Mulberry  growing,  raised  from  the  seed, 
to  feed  the  silkworm.  We  also  saw  samples  of  lustring 
(exceeding  good)  which  had  been  manufactured  from  the 
Cocoon  raised  in  this  Town,  and  silk  thread  very  fine. 
This,  except  the  weaving,  is  the  work  of  private  families, 
without  interference  with  other  business,  and  is  likely  to 
turn  out  a  beneficial  amusement.  In  the  Township  of 
Mansfield  they  are  further  advanced  in  this  business.  Wai- 


24  DIARY   OF 

lingford  has  a  Church  and  two  meeting  houses  in  it,  which 
stand  upon  high  and  pleasant  grd.  About  10  o'clock  we 
left  this  place,  and  at  the  distance  of  8  miles  passed  through 
Durham.  At  one  we  arrived  at  Middletown,  on  Connecti- 
cut River,  being  met  two  or  three  miles  from  it  by  the  re- 
spectable Citizens  of  the  place,  and  escorted  in  by  them. 
While  dinner  was  getting  ready  I  took  a  walk  round  the 
Town,  from  the  heights  of  which  the  prospect  is  beautiful. 
Belonging  to  this  place,  I  was  informed  (by  a  Genl.  Sage) 
that  there  were  about  20  sea  vessels,  and  to  Weathersfield, 
higher  up,  22 — and  to  Hartford  the  like  number — other 
places  on  the  River  have  their  proportion, — the  whole 
amounting  to  about  10,000  Tons. 

The  Country  hereabouts  is  beautiful  and  the  Lands  good. 
An  average  Crop  of  wheat  from  an  acre  of  fallowed  land 
is  estimated  at  15  bushels  ;  sometimes  they  get  as  high  as 

25  and  30  bushs.  to  the  acre  from  the  best  lands.     Indian 
Corn  from  20  to  40  bushls.  pr.  acre.     Their  exports  are 
the  same   as  from  other  places  ;  together   with  Potash. 
Baving  dined,  we  set  out  with  the  same  Escort  (who  con- 
ducted us  into  town)  about  3  o'clock  for  Hartford,  and  pass- 
ing through  a  Parish  of  Middletown  and  Weathersfield,  we 
arrived  at  Harfd.  about  sundown.     At  Weathersfield  we 
were  met  by  a  party  of  the  Hartford  light  horse,  and  a 
number  of  Gentlemen  from  the  same  place  with  Col°-  Wads- 
worth  at  their  head,  and  escorted  to  Bub's  Tavern,  where 
we  lodged. 

TUESDAY,  20th. 

After  breakfast,  accompanied  by  Col°-  Wadsworth,  Mr. 
Ellsworth  and  Col°-  Jesse  Root,  I  viewed  the  Woollen 
Manufactory  at  this  place,  which  seems  to  be  going  on  with 
spirit.  Their  Broadcloths  are  not  of  the  first  quality,  as 
yet,  but  they  are  good  ;  as  are  their  Coatings,  Cassimeres^ 


WASHINGTON.  25 

Serges  and  Everlastings ;  of  the  first,  that  is,  broad-cloth,  I 
ordered  a  suit  to  be  sent  to  me  at  New  York — and  of  the 
latter  a  whole  piece,  to  make  breeches  for  my  servants.  All 
the  parts  of  this  business  are  performed  at  the  Manufactory 
except  the  spinning — this  is  done  by  the  Country  people, 
who  are  paid  by  the  cut. 

Hartford  is  more  compactly  built  than  Middletown,  and 
contains  more  souls;  the  computed  number  of  which  amount 
to  about  dble.  The  number  of  Houses  in  Middletown  are 
said  to  be  250  or  60 — these  reckoning  eight  persons  to  a 
house,  would  make  two  thousand  at  least.  The  depth  of 
water  which  Vessels  can  bring  to  the  last  place,  is  about 
ten  feet ;  and  is  as  much  as  there  is  over  Saybrook  bar. 
From  Middletown  to  Hartford  there  is  not  more  than  6 
feet  water.  At  Middletown  there  is  one  Episcopal  and 
two  Congregational  Churches.  In  Hartford  there  is  none 
of  the  first  and  2  of  the  latter. 

Dined  and  drank  Tea  at  Col°-  Wadsworth's,  and  about  7 
o'clock  received  from,  and  answered  the  Address  of,  the 
Town  of  Hartford. 

WEDNESDAY,  21st. 

By  promise  I  was  to  have  Breakfasted  at  Mr.  Ellsworth's 
at  Windsor,  on  my  way  to  Springfield,  but  the  morning  pro- 
ving very  wet,  and  the  rain  not  ceasing  till  past  10  o'clock 
I  did  not  set  out  till  half  after  that  hour  ;  I  called,  how- 
ever, on  Mr.  Ellsworth  and  stay'd  there  near  an  hour — 
reached  Springfield  by  4  o'clock,  and  while  dinner  was  get- 
ting, examined  the  Continental  Stores  at  this  place,  which 
I  found  in  very  good  order  at  the  buildings  (on  the  hill 
above  the  Town)  which  belong  to  the  United  States. 

The  Barracks  (also  public  property)  are  going  fast  to  de- 
struction, and  in  a  little  time  will  be  no  more,  without  re- 
pairs. The  Elaboratory,  wch.  seems  to  be  a  good  building, 


26  DIARY    OF 

is  in  tolerable  good  repair,  and  the  Powder  Magazine, 
which  is  of  Brick,  seems  to  be  in  excellent  order,  and  the 
Powder  in  it  very  dry.  A  Col°-  Worthington,  Col°  Wil- 
liams, Adjutant  General  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  Gen. 
Shepherd,  Mr.  Lyman,  and  many  other  Gentlemen  sat  an 
hour  or  two  with  me  in  the  evening  at  Parson's  Tavern* 
where  I  lodged,  and  which  is  a  good  House.  About  6  miles 
before  I  came  to  Springfield,  I  left  the  State  of  Connecticut 
and  entered  that  of  Massachusetts.  The  Distance  from 
Hartford  to  Springfield  is  28  miles — both  on  Connecticut 
River.  At  the  latter  the  River  is  crossed  in  Scows  set 
over  with  Poles,  and  is  about  80  rod  wide.  Between  the 
two  places  is  a  fall,  and  ten  miles  above  Springfield  is  an- 
other fall,  and  others  above  that  again — notwithstanding 
which  much  use  is  made  of  the  navigation  for  transportation 
in  flats  of  about  five  tons  burthen.  Seven  miles  on  this  side 
Hartford  is  Windsor,  a  tolerable  pleasant  but  not  a  large 
village.  Between  Windsor  and  Suffield  you  pass  through 
a  level,  barren  and  uncultivated  plain  for  several  miles. 
Suffield  stands  high  and  pleasant— the  Ld.  good.  From 
hence  you  descend  again  into  another  plain,  where  the  lands 
being  good  are  much  better  cultivated.  The  whole  Road 
from  Hartford  to  Springfield  is  level  and  good,  except  being 
too  sandy  in  places — and  the  Fields  enclosed  with  Posts  and 
Rails  generally,  there  not  being  much  stone.  The  Crops  of 
Corn,  except  on  the  Interval  Lands  on  the  River,  are  more 
indifferent  (tho'  not  bad)  in  the  Eastern  than  we  found  them 
in  the  Western  part  of  the  State  of  Connecticut. 

There  is  a  great  equality  in  the  People  of  this  State. 
Few  or  no  opulent  men — and  no  poor — great  similitude  in 
their  buildings — the  general  fashion  of  which  is  a  Chimney 
(always  of  Stone  or  Brick)  and  door  in  the  middle,  with  a 
stair  case  fronting  the  latter,  running  up  by  the  side  of  the 
latter — two  flush  stories  with  a  very  good  show  of  sash  and 


WASHINGTON.  27 

glass  windows — the  size  generally  is  from  30  to  50  feet  in 
length,  and  from  20  to  30  in  width,  exclusive  of  a  back 
shed,  which  seems  to  be  added  as  the  family  increases. 

The  farms,  by  the  contiguity  of  the  Houses,  are  small, 
not  averaging  more  than  100  acres.  These  are  worked 
chiefly  by  oxen,  (which  have  no  other  feed  than  hay,)  with 
a  horse  and  sometimes  two  before  them,  both  in  Plow  and 
Cart.  In  their  light  lands  and  in  their  sleighs  they  work 
Horses,  but  find  them  much  more  expensive  than  oxen. 
Springfield  is  on  the  East  side  of  Connecticut  River  ;  be- 
fore you  come  to  which  a  large  branch  of  it  called  Agawam 
is  crossed  by  a  Bridge.  It  stands  under  the  Hill  on  the 
interval  Land,  and  has  only  one  Meeting  house — 28  miles 
frm.  Hartfd. 

THUESDAY,  22d. 

Sat  out  at  7  o'clock  ;  and  for  the  first  8  miles  rid  over  an 
almost  uninhabited  Pine  plain  ;  much  mixed  with  sand. 
Then  a  little  before  the  road  descends  to  Chicopee  river  it 
is  hilly,  rocky  and  steep,  and  continues  so  for  several  miles; 
the  Country  being  Stony  and  Barren  ;  with  a  mixture  of 
Pine  and  Oak  till  we  came  to  Palmer,  at  the  House  of  one 
Scott,  where  we  breakfasted  ;  and  where  the  land,  though 
far  from  good,  began  to  mend  ;  to  this  is  called  15  miles — 
among  thin  Pines,  and  Ponds  of  fresh  water. 

From  Palmer  to  Brookfield,  to  one  Hitchcock's,  is  15 
miles  ;  part  of  which  is  pretty  good,  and  part  (crossing  the 
Hills)  very  bad  ;  but  when  over,  the  ground  begins  to  get 
tolerably  good  and  the  Country  better  cultivated,  tho'  the 
Crops  of  Corn  do  not  look  well  and  have  been  injured,  it 
is  said,  by  an  early  frost  in  September.  A  beautiful  fresh 
water  pond  and  large  is  in  the  Plain  of  Brookland.  The 
fashion  of  the  Houses  are  more  diversified  than  in  Connec- 
ticut, though  many  are  built  in  their  style.  The  Inclosures 


28  DIARY   OF 

have  but  indifferent  fences ;  wood  or  stone  according  as  the 
Country  abounds  with  the  latter — of  which  it  is  full  after 
passing  the  pine  levels.  At  Brookland  we  fed  the  Horses 
and  dispatclied  an  Express  which  was  sent  to  me  by  Govr. 
Hancock — giving  notice  of  the  measures  he  was  about  to 
pursue  for  my  reception  on  the  Road,  and  in  Boston — with 
a  request  to  lodge  at  his  House. 

Continued  on  to  Spencer,  10  miles  further,  through  pretty 
good  roads,  and  lodged  at  the  House  of  one  Jenks,  who 
keeps  a  pretty  good  Tavern. 

FRIDAY,  23d. 

Commenced  our  course  with  the  Sun,  and  passing  through 
Leicester,  met  some  Gentlemen  of  the  Town  of  Worcester, 
on  the  line  between  it  and  the  former  to  escort  us.  Arrived 
about  10  o'clock  at  the  House  of  where 

we  breakfasted — distant  from  Spencer  12  miles.  Here  we 
were  received  by  a  handsome  Company  of  Militia  Artillery 
in  Uniform,  who  saluted  with  13  Guns  on  our  Entry  and 
departure.  At  this  place  also  we  met  a  Committee  from 
the  Town  of  Boston,  and  an  Aid  of  Majr.  Genl.  Brooks,  of 
the  Middlesex  Militia,  who  had  proceeded  to  this  place  in 
order  to  make  some  arrangements  of  Military  and  other 
Parade  on  my  way  to,  and  in  the  Town  of,  Boston  ;  and  to 
fix  with  me  on  the  hours  at  which  I  should  pass  through 
Cambridge,  and  enter  Boston.  Finding  this  ceremony  was 
not  to  be  avoided,  though  I  had  made  every  effort  to  do  it, 
I  named  the  hour  of  ten  to  pass  the  Militia  of  the  above 
County  at  Cambridge — and  the  hour  of  12  for  my  entrance 
into  Boston,  desiring  Major  Hale,  however,  to  inform  Genl. 
Brooks12  that  as  I  conceived  there  was  an  impropriety  in 


12.  John  Brooks  was  an  active  military  officer,  in  the  Massachusetts  line, 
during  the  whole  war  for  independence.  He  was  major-general  of  the 
militia  of  his  county  for  many  years ;  and  when  the  war  with  England 


WASHINGTON.  29 

my  reviewing  the  Militia,  or  seeing  them  perform  manoeu- 
vres, otherwise  than  as  a  private  man,  I  could  do  no  more 
than  pass  along  the  line  ;  which,  if  he  thought  proper, 
might  be  under  arms  to  receive  me  at  that  time.  These 
matters  being  settled,  the  Committee  and  the  Aid  (Col°- 
Hale)  set  forward  on  their  return — and  after  breakfast  I 
ollowed.  The  same  Gentlemen  who  had  escorted  me  into, 
conducting  me  out  of  Town.  On  the  Line  between  Wor- 
cester and  Middlesex  I  was  met  by  a  Troop  of  light  Horse 
belonging  to  the  latter,  who  Escorted  me  to  Maryborough, 
(16  miles)  where  we  dined,  and  thence  to  Weston  (14  more 
where  we  lodged.)  At  Marlborough  we  met  Mr.  Jonathan 
Jackson,  the  Marshall  of  this  State,  who  proposed  to  attend 
me  whilst  I  remained  in  it.  A  good  part  of  the  Road  from 
Spencer  to  Worcester  is  Hilly,  and  except  a,little  nearest' 
the  latter,  very  stony.  From  Worcester  to  Marlborough 
the  road  is  uneven  but  not  bad — and  from  Marlborh.  to 
Weston  it  is  leveller,  with  more  sand.  Between  Worces- 
ter and  Marlborough  the  Town  of  Shrewsbury  is  passed — 
and  between  Marlborough  and  Weston  you  go  through 
Sudbury.  The  Country  about  Worcester  and  onwards 
towards  Boston  is  better  improved  and  the  lands  of  better 
quality  than  we  travelled  through  yesterday.  The  Crops 
it  is  said  have  been  good.  Indian  Corn,  Rye,  Buckwheat 
and  grass — with  Beef  Cattle  and  Pork,  are  the  produce  of 
these  Farms. 

SATURDAY,  24th. 

Dressed  by  Seven  o'clock,  and  set  out  at  eight — at  ten 
we  arrived  in  Cambridge,  according  to  appointment ;  but 
most  of  the  Militia  having  a  distance  to  come,  were  not  in 


commenced  in  1812,  he  was  appointed  adjutant-general  of  Massachusetts. 
He  was  elected  Governor  of  that  State  in  1816,  and  was  continued  in  office, 
by  re-election,  seven  years. 

5 


30  DIARY   OF 

line  till  after  eleven  ;  they  made  however  an  excellent  ap- 
pearance, with  Genl.  Brooks  at  their  Head.  At  this  place 
the  Lieut.  Govr.  Mr.  Saml.  Adams,  with  the  Executive 
Council,  met  me  and  preceeded  my  entrance  into  town — 
which  was  in  every  degree  flattering  and  honorable.  To 
pass  over  the  Minutiae  of  the  arrangement  for  this  purpose, 
it  may  suffice  to  say  that  at  the  entrance  I  was  welcomed 
by  the  Selectmen  in  a  body.  Then  following  the  Lieut't. 
Govr.  and  Council  in  the  order  we  came  from  Cambridge, 
(preceeded  by  the  Town  Corps,  very  handsomely  dressed.) 
We  passed  through  the  Citizens  classed  in  their  different 
professions,  and  under  their  own  banners,  till  we  came  to 
the  State  House  ;  from  which  across  the  Street  an  Arch 
was  thrown  ;  in  the  front  of  which  was  this  Inscription — 
"  To  the  Man  who  unites  all  hearts  " — and  on  the  other — 
"  To  Columbia's  favorite  Son  " — and  on  one  side  thereof 
next  the  State  House,  in  a  pannel  decorated  with  a  trophy, 
composed  of  the  Arms  of  the  United  States — of  the  Com- 
monwealth of  Massachusetts — and  our  French  Allies, 
crowned  with  a  wreath  of  Laurel,  was  this  Inscription — 
"Boston  relieved  March  17th,  1776."  This  Arch  was 
handsomely  ornamented,  and  over  the  Center  of  it  a  Can. 
opy  was  erected  20  feet  high,  with  the  American  Eagle 
perched  on  the  top.  After  passing  through  the  Arch,  and 
entering  the  State  House  at  the  S°-  End  and  ascending  to 
the  upper  floor  and  returning  to  a  Balcony  at  the  N°-  End; 
three  cheers  were  given  by  a  vast  concourse  of  people  who 
by  this  time  had  assembled  at  the  Arch — then  followed  an 
ode  composed  in  honor  of  the  President  ;  and  well  sung  by 
a  band  of  select  singers — after  this  three  Cheers — followed 
by  the  different  Professions  and  Mechanics  in  the  order 
they  were  drawn  up  with  their  colours  through  a  lane  of 
the  People,  which  had  thronged  abt.  the  Arch  under  which 
they  passed.  The  Streets,  the  Doors,  windows  and  tops  of 


WASHINGTON.  31 

the  Houses  were  crowded  with  well  dressed  Ladies  and 
Gentlemen.  The  procession  being  over,  I  was  conducted 
to  my  lodgings  at  a  Widow  Ingersoll's,  (which  is  a  very 
decent  and  good  house)  by  the  Lieut.  Govr.  and  Council- 
accompanied  by  the  Vice-President,  where  they  took  leave 
of  me.  Having  engaged  yesterday  to  take  an  informal 
dinner  with  the  Govr.  to-day,  but  under  a  full  persuasion 
that  he  would  have  waited  upon  me  so  soon  as  I  should 
have  arrived — I  excused  myself  upon  his  not  doing  it,  and 
informing  me  thro'  his  Secretary  that  he  was  too  much 
indisposed  to  do  it,  being  resolved  to  receive  the  visit. 
Dined  at  my  Lodgings,  where  the  Vice-President  favoured 
me  with  his  Company. 

SUNDAY,  25th. 

Attended  Divine  Service  at  the  Episcopal  Church,  where- 
of Doctor  Parker  is  the  Incumbent,  in  the  forenoon,  and  the 
Congregational  Church  of  Mr.  Thatcher  in  the  afternoon. 
Dined  at  my  Lodgings  with  the  Vice-President.  Mr.  Bow- 
doin  accompanied  me  to  both  Churches.  Between  the  two 
I  received  a  visit  from  the  Gov'r,  who  assured  me  that  in- 
disposition alone  prevented  his  doing  it  yesterday,  and  that 
he  was  still  indisposed  ;  but  as  it  had  been  suggested  that 
he  expected  to  receive  the  visit  from  the  President,  which 
he  knew  was  improper,  he  was  resolved  at  all  haz'ds  to  pay 
his  Compliments  to-day.  The  Lt.  Gov'r  and  two  of  the 
Council,  to  wit,  Heath  and  Russell,  were  sent  here  last 
night  to  express  the  Govr.'s  concern  that  he  had  not  been 
in  a  condition  to  call  upon  me  so  soon  as  I  came  to  Town. 
I  informed  them  in  explicit  terms  that  I  should  not  see  the 
Gov'r  unless  it  was  at  my  own  lodgings.13 


13.  The  conduct  of  Mr.  Hancock  on  this  occasion  was  severely  censured, 
because  it  was  generally  believed  that  his  sense  of  his  own  dignity  as  chief 
magistrate  of  Massachusetts,  and  not  bodily  illness,  was  the  cause  of  his 


32  DIARY   OF 

MONDAY,  26th. 

The  day  being  Rainy  and  Stormy,  myself  much  disor- 
dered by  a  cold,  and  inflammation  in  the  left  eye,14  I  was 
prevented  from  visiting  Lexington,  (where  the  first  blood 
in  the  dispute  with  G.  Brit'n  was  drawn.)  Rec'd  the  com- 
plim'ts  of  many  visits  to-day.  Mr.  Dalton  and  Genl.  Cobb 
dined  with  me,  and  in  the  Evening  drank  Tea  with  Gov'r 
Hancock,  and  called  upon  Mr.  Bowdoin  on  my  return  to 
my  lodgings. 

TUESDAY,  27th. 

At  10  o'clock  in  the  Morning  received  the  visits  of  the 
Clergy  of  the  Town.  At  11  went  to  an  Oratorio — and  be- 
tween that  and  3  o'clock  rec'd  the  Addresses  of  the  Gover- 
nor and  Council — of  the  Town  of  Boston — of  the  President, 
&c.  of  Harvard  College,  and  of  the  Cincinnati  of  the  State; 


omitting  to  call  upon  the  President  immediately  after  his  arrival.  The 
rebuke  of  official  pride  administered  by  Washington  in  his  refusal  to  see 
Governor  Hancock,  except  at  the  President's  lodgings,  appears  to  have 
decided  the  question  of  superior  dignity  in  the  mind  of  the  Governor. 
For  further  illustration  of  this  matter,  see  Governor  Hancock's  letters  to 
Washington,  dated  respectively,  October  21,  and  October  23d,  1789,  in 
Sparks'  Correspondence  of  the  Revolution,  Volume  IV.,  pages  289-' 90.  In  the 
first,  he  invited  Washington  to  stay  at  his  house,  and  said,  "  I  could  wish 
that  the  accommodations  were  better  suited  to  a  gentleman  of  your  respect- 
ability;" and  in  the  second,  written  after  Washington  had  declined  his 
invitation,  Governor  Hancock  invited  him  to  dine  with  him  on  Sunday, 
' '  en  famille. ' '  He  appears  to  have  had  his  heart  set  on  having  the  Presi- 
dent call  on  him  first. 

14.  Sullivan,  in  his  ' '  Familiar  Letters, ' '  says,  that  owing  to  some  mis- 
management in  the  reception  ceremonials  at  Cambridge,  Washington  was 
detained  a  long  time,  and  the  weather  being  inclement,  he  took  cold.  For 
several  days  afterward  a  severe  influenza  prevailed  at  Boston,  and  its 
vicinity,  and  was  called  the  Washington  Influenza.  It  may  not  be  inappro- 
priate to  mention  that  when,  in  1843,  President  Tyler  visited  Boston,  a 
similar  influenza  prevailed  at  New  York,  and  throughout  New  England, 
which  was  called  the  Tyler  Grippe. 


WASHINGTON.  33 

after  wch.  at  3  o'clock,  I  dined  at  a  large  and  elegant  Din- 
ner at  Fanuiel  Hall,  given  by  the  Gov'r  and  Council,  and 
spent  the  evening  at  my  lodgings.  When  the  Committee 
from  the  Town  presented  their  Address  it  was  accompanied 
with  a  request  (in  behalf,  they  said,  of  the  Ladies,)  that  I 
would  set  to  have  my  Picture  taken  for  the  Hall,  that 
others  might  be  copied  from  it  for  the  use  of  their  respect- 
ive families.  As  all  the  next  day  was  assigned  to  various 
purposes,  and  I  was  engaged  to  leave  town  on  Thursday 
early,  I  informed  them  of  the  impracticability  of  my  doing 
this,  but  that  I  would  have  it  drawn  when  I  returned  to 
New  York,  if  there  was  a  good  Painter  there — or  by  Mr. 
Trumbull  when  he  should  arrive,  and  would  send  it  to  them. 

WEDNESDAY,  28th. 

Went,  after  an  early  breakfast,  to  visit  the  duck  manu- 
facture, which  appeared  to  be  carrying  on  with  spirit,  and 
is  in  a  prosperous  way.  They  have  manufactured  32  pieces 
of  Duck  of  30  or  40  yds.  each  in  a  week  ;  and  expect  in  a 
short  time  to  encrease  it  to  They  have  28  looms  at 

work,  and  14  Girls  spinning  with  Both  hands,  (the  flax 
being  fastened  to  their  waist.)  Children  (girls)  turn  the 
wheels  for  them,  and  with  this  assistance  each  spinner  can 
turn  out  14  Ibs.  of  Thread  pr.  day  when  they  stick  to  it, 
but  as  they  are  pd.  by  the  piece,  or  work  they  do,  there  is 
no  other  restraint  upon  them  but  to  come  at  8  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  and  return  at  6  in  the  evening.  They  are  the 
daughters  of  decayed  families,  and  are  girls  of  Character — 
none  others  are  admitted.  The  number  of  hands  now  em- 
ployed in  the  different  parts  of  the  work  is  but  the 
Managers  expect  to  encrease  them  to  This  is  a  work 
of  public  utility  and  private  advantage.  From  hence  I 
went  to  the  Card  Manufactory,  where  I  was  informed 
about  900  hands  of  one  kind  and  for  one  purpose  or  an- 


34  DIARY   OF 

other — all  kinds  of  Cards  are  made  ;  and  there  are  Ma- 
chines for  executing  every  part  of  the  work  in  a  new  and 
expeditious  man'r,  especially  in  cutting  and  bending  the 
teeth,  wch.  is  done  at  one  stroke.  They  have  made  63.000 
pr.  of  Cards  in  a  year,  and  can  undersell  the  Imported 
Cards — nay,  Cards  of  this  Manufactory  have  been  smug- 
gled into  England.15  At  11  o'clock  I  embarked  on  board 
the  Barge  of  the  Illustrious,  Captn.  Penthere  Gion,  and 
visited  his  Ship  and  the  Superb,  another  74  Gun  Ship  in 
the  Harbour  of  Boston,  about  4  miles  below  the  Town. 
Going  and  coming  I  was  saluted  by  the  two  frigates  which 
lye  near  the  wharves,  and  by  the  74s  after  I  had  been  on 
board  of  them.  I  was  also  saluted  going  and  coming  by 
the  fort  on  Castle  Isld.16  After  my  return  I  dined  in  a 
large  company  at  Mr.  Bowdoin's,  and  went  to  the  Assem- 
bly in  the  evening,  where  (it  is  said)  there  were  upwards  of 
100  Ladies.  Their  appearance  was  elegant,  and  many  of 
them  very  handsome  ;  the  Room  is  small  but  neat,  and  well 
ornamented. 

THURSDAY,  29th. 

Left  Boston  about  8  o'clock.  Passed  over  the  Bridge  at 
Charles-Town,  and  went  to  see  that  at  Maiden,  but  pro- 
ceeded to  the  College  at  Cambridge,  attended  by  the  Vice- 
President,  Mr.  Bowdoin,  and  a  great  number  of  Gentlemen. 
At  this  place  I  was  shown  by  Mr.Willard,  the  president,  the 
philosophical  aparatus,  and  amongst  them  the  Pope's  Orrery 
(a  curious  piece  of  Mechanism  for  showing  the  revolutions 


16.  These  were  implements  for  carding  wool  by  hand,  and  were  used 
until  several  years  after  the  close  of  the  last  war  with  Great  Britain,  when 
woolen  manufactories  became  common  in  this  country. 

16.  This  was  called  Fort  Adams  at  that  time.  The  island  was  ceded  to 
the  United  States  in  1799,  when  President  Adams  named  the  fortification 
Fort  Independence.  The  present  structure  was  erected  during  the  years  1801, 
'02,  '03. 


WASHINGTON.  35 

of  the  Sun,  Earth,  and  many  other  of  the  Planets),  the 
library,  (containing  13.000  volumes,)  and  a  Museum.  The 
Bridges  of  Charlestown  and  Maiden  are  useful  and  noble 
doing  great  credit  to  the  enterprising  spirit  of  the  People 
of  this  State.  From  Boston,  besides  the  number  of  citizens 
which  accompanied  me  to  Cambridge,  and  many  of  them 
from  thence  to  Lynn — the  Boston  Corps  of  Horse  escorted 
me  to  the  line  between  Middlesex  and  Essex  County,  where 
a  party  of  Horse,  with  Genl.  Titcomb,  met  me,  and  con- 
ducted me  through  Marblehead  (which  is  4  miles  out  of  the 
way,  but  I  wanted  to  see  it,)  to  Salem.  The  chief  employ- 
ment of  the  People  of  Marblehead  (males)  is  fishing  ;  about 
110  vessels  and  800  men  and  boys  are  engaged  in  this 
business.  Their  chief  export  is  fish.  About  5000  souls  are 
said  to  be  in  this  place,  which  has  the  appearance  of  anti- 
quity ;  the  Houses  are  old  ;  the  streets  dirty  ;  and  the  com- 
mon people  not  very  clean.  Before  we  entered  the  Town 
we  were  met  and  attended  by  a  Com'e,  till  we  were  handed 
over  to  the  Select  men,  who  conducted  us,  saluted  by  artil- 
lery, into  the  Town,  to  the  House  of  a  Mrs.  Lee,  where 
there  was  a  cold  collation  prepared  ;  after  partaking  of 
which  we  visited  the  Harbour,  their  fish  brakes  for  curing 
fish,  &c.,  and  then  proceeded  (first  receiving  an  Address 
from  the  Inhabitants)  to  Salem. 

At  the  Bridge,  2  miles  from  this  Town,  we  were  also 
met  by  a  Committee,  who  conducted  us  by  a  Brigade  of 
the  Militia  and  one  or  two  handsome  Corps  in  Uniform, 
through  several  of  the  Streets  to  the  Town  or  .Court  House, 
where  an  Ode  in  honor  of  the  President  was  sung — an  Ad- 
dress presented  to  him  amidst  the  acclamations  of  the 
People  ;  after  which  he  was  conducted  to  his  Lodgings. 
Rec'd  the  Compliments  of  many  differt.  classes  of  People, 
and  in  the  evening,  between  7  and  8  o'clock,  went  to  an 
Assembly,  where  there  was  at  least  an  hundred  handsome 


36  DIARY   OF 

and  well  dressed  Ladies.      Abt.   nine  I  returned  to  my 
Lodgings. 

The  Road  from  Boston  to  this  place  is  here  and  there 
Stony,  tho'  level ;  •  it  is  very  pleasant  :  from  most  parts 
you  are  in  sight  of  the  Sea.  Meads,  arable  Land,  and 
Rocky  hills  are  much  intermixed — the  latter  chiefly  on  the 
left.  The  Country  seems  to  be  in  a  manner  entirely 
stripped  of  wood.  The  grazing  is  good — the  Houses  stand 
thick.  After  leaving  Cambridge,  at  the  distance  of  4 
miles,  we  passed  through  My  stick — then  Maiden — -next 
Lynn,  where  it  is  said  175.000  pairs  of  shoes  (women's, 
chiefly)  have  been  made  in  a  year  by  abt.  400  workmen. 
There  is  only  a  row  of  houses,  and  not  very  thick,  on  each 
side  of  the  Road.  After  passing  Lynn  you  enter  Marble- 
head,  wch  is  4  miles  from  Salem.  This  latter  is  a  neat 
Town,  and  said  to  contain  8  or  9000  Inhabitants.  Its  ex- 
ports are  chiefly  Fish,  Lumber  and  Provisions.  They  have 
in  the  East  India  Trade  at  this  time  13  Sail  of  Vessels. 

FRIDAY,  30th. 

A  little  after  8  o'clock  I  set  out  for  Newbury-Port  ;  and 
in  less  than  2  miles  crossed  the  Bridge  between  Salem  and 
Beverly,  which  makes  a  handsome  appearance,  and  is  upon 
the  same  plan  of  those  over  Charles  and  Mistick  Rivers  ; 
excepting  that  it  has  not  foot  ways  as  that  of  the  former 
has.  The  length  of  this  bridge  is  1530  feet,  and  was  built 
for  about  £4500,  lawful  money — a  price  inconceivably  low 
in  my  estimation,  as  there  is  18  feet  water  in  the  deepest 
parts  of  the  River  over  which  it  is  erected.  This  Bridge 
is  larger  than  that  at  Charlestown,  but  shorter  by  feet 
than  the  other  over  Mistick.  All  of  them  have  draw 
bridges,  by  which  vessels  pass.  After  passing  Beverley,  2 
miles,  we  come  to  the  Cotton  Manufactory,  which  seems  to 
be  carrying  on  with  spirit  by  the  Mr.  Cabots  (principally). 


WASHINGTON.  37 

In  this  Manufactory  they  have  the  new  Invented  Carding 
and  Spinning  Machines  ;  one  of  the  first  supplies  the  work, 
and  four  of  the  latter  ;  one  of  which  spins  84  threads  at  a 
time  by  one  person.  The  Cotton  is  prepared  for  these  Ma- 
chines by  being  first  (lightly)  drawn  to  a  thrd,  on  the  com- 
mon wheel ;  there  is  also  another  machine  for  doubling  and 
twisting  the  threads  for  particular  cloths  ;  this  also  does 
many  at  a  time.  For  winding  the  Cotton  from  the  Spin- 
dles, and  preparing  it  for  the  warp,  there  is  a  Reel  which 
expedites  the  work  greatly.  A  number  of  Looms  (15  or 
16)  were  at  work  with  spring  shuttles,  which  do  more  than 
d'ble  work.  In  short,  the  whole  seemed  perfect,  and  the 
Cotton  stuffs  w'ch  they  turn  out,  excellent  of  their  kind  ; 
warp  and  filling  both  are  of  Cotton.  From  this  place,  with 
escorts  of  Horse,  I  passed  on  to  Ipswich,  about  10  miles  ; 
at  the  entrance  of  which  I  was  met  and  welcomed  by  the 
Select  men,  and  received  by  a  Regm't  of  Militia.  At  this 
place  I  was  met  by  Mr.  Dalton  and  some  other  Gentlemen 
from  Newbury-port ;  partook  of  a  cold  collation,  and  pro- 
ceeded on  to  the  last  mentioned  place,  where  I  was  received 
with  much  respect  and  parade,  about  4  o'clock.  In  the  eve- 
ning there  were  rockets  and  some  other  fireworks — and 
every  other  demonstration  to  welcome  me  to  the  Town. 
This  place  is  pleasantly  situated  on  Merrimack  River, 
and  appears  to  have  carried  on  (here  and  above)  the  ship- 
building business  to  a  grt.  extent.  The  number  of  souls  is 
estimated  at  5000. 

SATUEDAY,  31st. 

Left  Newbury-port  a  little  after  8  o'clock  (first  break- 
fasting with  Mr.  Dalton)  and  to  avoid  a  wider  ferry,  more 
inconvenient  boats,  and  a  piece  of  heavy  sand,  we  crossed 
the  River  at  Salisbury,  two  miles  above,  and  near  that 
further  about — and  in  three  miles  came  to  the  line  wch. 
6 


38  DIARY    OF 

divides  the  State  of  Massachusetts  from  that  of  New  Hamp- 
shire. Here  I  took  leave  of  Mr.  Dalton  and  many  other 
private  Gentlemen  who  accompanied  me ;  also  of  Gen'l 
Titcomb,  who  had  met  me  on  the  line  between  Middlesex 
and  Essex  Counties — Corps  of  light  Horse,  and  many  offi- 
cers of  Militia — and  was  rec'd  by  the  President  of  the  State 
of  New  Hampshire — the  Vice-President ;  some  of  the  Coun- 
cil— Messrs.  Langdon  and  Wingate  of  the  Senate — Col°- 
Parker,  Marshall  of  the  State,  and  many  other  respectable 
characters  ;  besides  several  Troops  of  well  cloathed  Horse 
in  handsome  Uniforms,  and  many  officers  of  the  Militia  also 
in  handsome  (white  and  red)  uniforms  of  the  Manufacture 
of  the  State.  With  this  cavalcade,  we  proceeded,  and 
arrived  before  3  o'clock  at  Portsmouth,  where  we  were 
received  with  every  token  of  respect  and  appearance  of 
cordiality,  under  a  discharge  of  artillery.  The  streets, 
doors  and  windows  were  crowded  here,  as  at  all  the  other 
Places  ;  and,  alighting  at  the  Town  House,  odes  were  sung 
and  played  in  honor  of  the  President.  The  same  happened 
yesterday  at  my  entrance  into  Newburyport — being  stopped 
at  my  entrance  to  hear  it.  From  the  Town  House  I  went 
to  Colonel  Brewster's  Ta'n,  the  place  provided  for  my  resi- 
dence ;  and  asked  the  President,  Vice-President,  the  two 
Senators,  the  Marshall,  and  Majr.  Gilman  to  dine  with 
me,  which  they  did  ;  after  which  I  drank  Tea  at  Mr. 
Langdon's. 

NOVEMBER    1st. 

Attended  by  the  President  of  the  State  (Genl.  Sullivan), 
Mr.  Langdon,  and  the  Marshall.  I  went  in  the  forenoon 
to  the  Episcopal  Church,  under  the  incumbency  of  a  Mr. 
Ogden  ;  and  in  the  afternoon  to  one  of  the  Presbyterian  or 
Congregational  Churches,  in  which  a  Mr.  Buckminster 


WASHINGTON.  39 

Preached.17     Dined  at  home  with  the  Marshall,  and  spent 
the  afternoon  in  my  own  room  writing  letters. 

MONDAY,  2d. 

Having  made  previous  preparations  for  it,  about  8 
o'clock,  attended  by  the  President,  Mr.  Langdon,  and 
some  other  Gentlemen,  I  went  in  a  boat  to  view  the  har- 
bour of  Portsmouth  ;  which  is  well  secured  against  all 
winds ;  and  from  its  narrow  entrance  from  the  Sea,  and 
passage  up  to  the  Town,  may  be  perfectly  guarded  against 
any  approach  by  water.  The  anchorage  is  also  good,  and 
the  shipping  may  lay  close  to  the  Docks,  &c.,  when  at  the 
Town.  In  my  way  to  the  mouth  of  the  Harbour,  I  stopped 
at  a  place  called  Kittery,  in  the  Province  of  Maine,  the  river 
Piscataqua  being  the  boundary  between  New  Hampshire 
and  it.  From  hence  I  went  by  the  old  Fort  (formerly  built 
while  under  the  English  government)  on  an  Island  which  is 
at  the  entrance  of  the  harbour,  and  where  the  Light  House 
stands.  As  we  passed  this  Fort  we  were  saluted  by  13 
Guns.  Having  Lines,  we  proceeded  to  the  Fishing  banks 
a  little  without  the  Harbour,  and  fished  for  Cod  ;  but  it 
not  being  a  proper  time  of  tide,  we  only  caught  two,  with 
w'ch,  about  1  o'clock,  we  returned  to  Town.  Dined  at  Mr. 
Langdon's,  and  drank  Tea  there,  with  a  large  circle  of  La- 
dies, and  retired  a  little  after  seven  o'clock.  Before  dinner 
I  rec'd  an  address  from  the  Town,  presented  by  the  Vice- 
President  ;  and  returned  an  answer  in  the  Evening  to  one 
I  had  rec'd  from  Marblehead,  and  another  from  the  Pres- 
byterian Clergy  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts  and  New 
Hampshire,  delivered  at  Newbury  Port ;  both  of  which  I 
had  been  unable  to  answer  before. 

17.  The  eminent  Joseph  Buckminster,  D.D.,  the  successor  of  Dr.  Lang- 
don. 


40  DIARY   OP 

TUESDAY,  3d. 

Sat  two  hours  in  the  forenoon  for  a  Mr ,  Painter, 

of  Boston,  at  the  request  of  Mr.  Brick,  of  that  place  ;  who 
wrote  Majr.  Jackson  that  it  was  an  earnest  desire  of  many 
of  the  Inhabitants  of  that  Town  that  he  might  be  indulged. 
After  this  setting  I  called  upon  President  Sullivan,  and  the 
mother  of  Mr.  Lear,18  and  having  walked  through  most 
parts  of  the  Town,  returned  by  12  o'clock,  when  I  was 
visited  by  a  Clergyman  of  the  name  of  Haven,  who  pre- 
sented me  with  an  Ear  and  part  of  the  stalk  of  the  dyeing 
Corn,  and  several  small  pieces  of  Cloth  which  had  been 
dyed  with  it,  equal  to  any  colours  I  had  ever  seen,  of  vari- 
ous colours.  This  Corn  was  blood  red,  and  the  rind  of  the 
stalk  deeply  tinged  of  the  same  colour. 

About  2  o'clock,  I  received  an  Address  from  the  Execu- 
tive of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire,  and  in  half  an  hour 
after  dined  with  them  and  a  large  company,  at  their  assem- 
bly room,  which  is  one  of  the  best  I  have  seen  anywhere  in 
the  United  States.  At  half  after  seven  I  went  to  the  as- 
sembly, where  there  were  about  75  well  dressed,  and  many 
of  them  very  handsome  ladies — among  whom  (as  was  also 
the  case  at  the  Salem  and  Boston  assemblies)  were  a  greater 
proportion  with  much  blacker  hair  than  are  usually  seen  in 
the  Southern  States.  About  nine,  I  returned  to  my  quar- 
ters. Portsmouth,  it  is  said,  contains  about  5,000  inhabit- 
ants. There  are  some  good  houses,  (among  which  Col° 
Langdon's  may  be  esteemed  the  first,)  but  in  general  they 
are  indifferent,  and  almost  entirely  of  wood.  On  wonder- 
ing at  this,  as  the  country  is  full  of  stone  and  good  clay  for 
bricks,  I  was  told  that  on  acct.  of  the  fogs  and  damp,  they 
deemed  them  wholesomer,  and  for  that  reason  preferred 
wood  buildings.  Lumber,  fish,  and  potash,  with  some  pro- 


18.  Tobias  Lear,  the  President's  private  Secretary. 


WASHINGTON.  41 

visions,  compose  the  principal  articles  of  export.  Ship- 
building here  and  at  Newburyport,  has  been  carried  on  to 
a  considerable  extent.  During  and  for  some  time  after  the 
war  there  was  an  entire  stagnation  to  it  ;  but  it  is  begin- 
ning now  to  revive  again.  The  number  of  ships  belonging 
to  the  port  are  estimated  at . 

WEDNESDAY,  4th. 

About  half  after  seven  I  left  Portsmouth,  quietly,  and 
without  any  attendance,  having  earnestly  entreated  that  all 
parade  and  ceremony  might  be  avoided  on  my  return.  Be- 
fore ten  I  reached  Exeter,  14  miles  distance.  This  is  con- 
sidered as  the  second  town  in  New  Hampshire,  and  stands 
at  the  head  of  the  tide-water  of  Piscataqua  River  ;  but 
ships  of  3  or  400  tons  are  built  at  it.  Above  (but  in  the 
town)  are  considerable  falls,  which  supply  several  grist 
mills,  2  oil  mills,  a  slitting  mill,  and  snuff  mill.  It  is  a 
place  of  some  consequence,  but  does  not  contain  more  than 
1,000  inhabitants.  A  jealousy  subsists  between  this  town 
(where  the  Legislature  alternately  sits,)  and  Portsmouth  ; 
which,  had  I  known  it  in  time,  would  have  made  it  neces- 
sary to  have  accepted  an  invitation  to  a  public  dinner,  but 
my  arrangements  having  been  otherwise  made,  I  could  not. 
From  hence,  passing  through  Kingstown,  (6  miles  from  Ex- 
eter) I  arrived  at  Haverhill  about  half-past  two,  and  staid 
all  night.  Walked  through  the  town,  which  stands  at  the 
head  of  the  tide  of  Merrimack  River,  and  in  a  beautiful 
part  of  the  country.  The  lands  over  which  I  travelled  to- 
day, are  pretty  much  mixed  in  places  with  stone — and  the 
growth  with  pines — till  I  came  near  to  Haverhill,  where 
they  disappeared,  and  the  land  had  a  more  fertile  appear- 
ance. The  whole  were  pretty  well  cultivated,  but  used 
(principally)  for  grass  and  Indian  corn.  In  Haverhill  is  a 
Duck  manufactory,  upon  a  small  but  ingenious  scale,  under 


42  DIABY   OF 

the  conduct  of  Col" At  this  manufactory  one 

small  person  turns  a  wheel  which  employs  eight  spinners, 
each  acting  independently  of  the  other,  so  as  to  occasion 
no  interruption  to  the  rest  if  any  one  of  them  is  stopped — 
whereas  at  the  Boston  manufactory  of  this  article,  each 
spinner  has  a  small  girl  to  turn  the  wheel.  The  looms  are 
also  somewhat  differently  constructed  from  those  of  the 
common  kind,  and  upon  an  improved  plan.  The  inhabit'ts 
of  this  small  village  were  well  disposed  to  welcome  me  to 
it  by  every  demonstration  which  could  evince  their  joy. 

THURSDAY,  5th. 

About  sunrise  I  set  out,  crossing  the  Merrimack  River  at 
the  town,  over  to  the  township  of  Bradford,  and  in  nine 
miles  came  to  Abbot's  tavern,  in  Andover,  where  we  break- 
fasted, and  met  with  much  attention  from  Mr.  Phillips,19 
President  of  the  Senate  of  Massachusetts,  who  accompanied 
us  through  Bellariki20  to  Lexington,  where  I  dined,  and 
viewed  the  spot  on  which  the  first  blood  was  spilt  in  the 
dispute  with  Great  Britain,  on  the  19th  of  April,  1775. 
Here  I  parted  with  Mr.  Phillips,  and  proceeded  pn  to  Wa- 
tertown,  intending  (as  I  was  disappointed  by  the  weather 
and  bad  roads  from  travelling  through  the  Interior  Coun- 
try to  Charlestown,  on  Connecticut  River,)  to  take  what  is 
called  the  middle  road  from  Boston.  The  country  from 
Haverhill  to  Andover  is  good,  and  well  cultivated.  In  and 
about  the  latter  (which  stands  high)  it  is  beautiful.  A  mile 
or  two  from  it  you  descend  into  a  pine  level,  pretty  sandy, 
and  mixed  with  swamps,  through  which  you  ride  several 
miles,  till  you  begin  to  ascend  the  heights  on  which  the 
town  of  Bellarika  stands,  which  is  also  pleasantly  situated 


19.  Samuel  Phillips,  who  was  President  of  the  Massachusetts  Senate  from 
1786,  until  1801,  when  he  was  chosen  Lieutenant-Governor.     He  died  in 
February,  1802. 

20.  Billerica. 


WASHINGTON.  43 

10  miles  from  Andover.  From  hence  to  Lexington — eight 
miles — and  thence  to  Watertown,  eight  more,  the  country 
is  very  pleasant,  and  the  roads  in  general  good.  We  lodged 
in  this  place  at  the  house  of  a  Widow  Coolidge,  near  the 
Bridge,  and  a  very  indifferent  one  it  is. 

FRIDAY,  6th. 

A  little  after  seven  o'clock,  under  great  appearances  of 
rain  or  snow,  we  left  Watertown,  and  passing  through 
Needham,  (five  miles  therefrom)  breakfasted  at  Sherburne, 
which  is  14  miles  from  the  former.  Then  passing  through 
Holliston,  5  miles,  Milford  6  more,  Menden  4  more,  and 
"Oxbridge  6  more,  we  lodged  at  one  Taft's,  1  mile  further  ; 
the  whole  distance  of  this  day's  travel  being  36  miles. 
From  Watertown,  till  you  get  near  Needham,  the  road  is 
very  level — about  Needham  it  is  hilly — then  level  again, 
and  the  whole  pleasant  and  well  cultivated,  till  you  pass 
Sherburne  ;  between  this  and  Holliston  is  some  hilly  and 
rocky  ground,  so  there  is  in  places  onwards  to  Uxbridge  ; 
some  of  wch.  are  very  bad.  Upon  the  whole  it  may  be 
called  an  indifferent  road — diversified  by  good  and  bad 
land — cultivated  and  in  woods — some  high  and  barren,  and 
others  low,  wet  and  piney.  Grass  and  Indian  Corn  is  the 
chief  produce  of  the  farms.  Rye  composes  a  part  of  the 
culture  of  them,  but  wheat  is  not  grown  on  account  of  the 
blight.  The  roads  in  every  part  of  this  State  are  amaz- 
ingly crooked,  to  suit  the  convenience  of  every  man's  fields  ; 
and  the  directions  you  receive  from  the  people  equally  blind 
and  ignorant ;  for  instead  of  going  to  Watertown  from  Lex- 
ington, if  we  had  proceeded  to  Waltham,  we  should  in  13 
miles  have  saved  at  least  six  ;  the  distance  from  Lexington 
to  Waltham  being  only  5  miles,  and  the  road  from  Water- 
town  to  Sherburne  going  within  less  than  two  miles  of  the 
latter,  (i.  e.  Waltham.)  The  clouds  of  the  morning  van- 


44  DIARY   OF 

ished  before  the  meridian  sun,  and  the  afternoon  was  bright 
and  pleasant.  The  house  in  Uxbridge  had  a  good  external 
appearance,  (for  a  tavern)  but  the  owner  of  it  being  from 
home,  and  the  wife  sick,  we  could  not  gain  admittance ; 
which  was  the  reason  of  my  coming  on  to  Taft's  ;21  where, 
though  the  people  were  obliging,  the  entertainment  was  not 
very  inviting. 

SATURDAY,  7th. 

Left  Taft's  before  sunrise,  and  passing  through  Douglass 
wood,  breakfasted  at  one  Jacobs'  in  Thompson,  12  miles 
distant  ;  not  a  good  house.  Bated  the  horses  in  Pomfret, 
at  Col°-  Grosvenor's,  distant  11  miles  from  Jacobs',  and 
lodged  at  Squire  Perkins'  in  Ashford,  (called  10  miles,  but 
must  be  12.)  The  first  stage,  with  a  small  exception,  is  in- 
tolerable bad  road,  and  a  poor  and  uncultivated  country, 
covered  chiefly  with  woods — the  largest  of  which  is  called 
Douglass,  at  the  foot  of  which,  on  the  east  side,  is  a  large 
pond.  Jacobs's  is  in  the  State  of  Connecticut,  and  here  the 


21 .  While  President  Washington  was  at  Hartford,  on  his  return,  he  wrote 
the  following  letter  to  Mr.  Taft : 

"HAKTFORD,  8th  November,  1789. 

"Sm — Being  informed  that  you  have  given  my  name  to  one  of  your 
sons,  and  called  another  after  Mrs.  Washington's  family,  and  being  more- 
over very  much  pleased  with  the  modest  and  innocent  looks  of  your  two 
daughters,  Patty  and  Polly,  I  do  for  these  reasons  send  each  of  these  girls 
a  piece  of  chintz ;  and  to  Patty,  who  bears  the  name  of  Mrs.  Washington, 
and  who  waited  more  upon  us  than  Polly  did,  I  send  five  guineas,  with 
which  she  may  buy  herself  any  little  ornaments  she  may  want,  or  she  may 
dispose  of  them  in  any  other  manner  more  agreeable  to  herself.  As  I  do  not 
give  these  things  with  a  view  to  have  it  talked  of,  or  even  to  its  being 
known,  the  less  there  is  said  about  the  matter  the  better  you  will  please 
me ;  but,  that  I  may  be  sure  the  chintz  and  money  have  got  safe  to  hand, 
let  Patty,  who  I  dare  say  is  equal  to  it,  write  me  a  line  informing  me  there- 
of, directed  to  '  The  President  of  the  United  States  at  New  York. '  I  wish 
you  and  your  family  well,  and  am  your  humble  servant, 

' '  GEO.  WASHINGTON.  ' ' 


WASHINGTON.  45 

lands  are  better,  and  more  highly  improved.  From  hence 
to  Pomfret  there  is  some  woods  and  indifferent  land,  but  in 
general  it  is  tolerably  good,  and  the  farms  look  well.  In 
and  abt.  Pomfret  they  are  fine,  and  from  thence  to  Ashford 
not  bad  ;  but  very  hilly,  and  much  mixed  with  rock  stone. 
Knowing  that  General  Putnam  lived  in  the  Township  of 
Pomfret,  I  had  hopes  of  seeing  him,  and  it  was  one  of  my 
inducements  for  coming  this  road  ;  but  on  enquiry  in  the 
town  I  found  that  he  lived  5  miles  out  of  my  road,  and  that 
without  deranging  my  plan  and  delaying  my  journey,  I 
could  not  do  it. 

SUNDAY,  8th. 

It  being  contrary  to  law  and  disagreeable  to  the  People 
of  this  State  (Connecticut)  to  travel  on  the  Sabbath  day — 
and  my  horses,  after  passing  through  such  intolerable 
roads,  wanting  rest,  I  stayed  at  Perkins'  tavern  (which,  by 
the  bye,  is  not  a  good  one,)  all  day — and  a  meeting-house 
being  within  a  few  rods  of  the  door,  I  attended  morning 
and  evening  service,  and  heard  very  lame  discourses  from  a 
Mr.  Pond." 

MONDAY,  9th. 

Set  out  about  7  o'clock,  and  for  the  first  24  miles  had 
hilly,  rocky,  and  disagreeable  roads  ;  the  remaining  10  was 
level  and  good,  but  in  places  sandy.  Arrived  at  Hartford 
a  little  before  four.  We  passed  through  Mansfield,  (which 
is  a. very  hilly  country,  and  the  township  in  which  they 
make  the  greatest  qty.  of  silk  of  any  in  the  State,)  and 
breakfasted  at  one  Bingham's,  in  Coventry.  Stopped  at 
Woodbridge's  in  Et.  Hartford,  where  the  level  land  is  en- 


22.  Reverend  Enoch  Pond,  who  died  in  1807.  On  his  tomb-stone  are  in- 
scribed these  words — "  Generous  in  temper,  correct  in  science,  and  liberal 
in  sentiment,  the  gentleman,  the  scholar,  and  the  Minister  of  the  Sanc- 
tuary, appeared  with  advantage  in  Mr.  Pond." 

7 


46  DIARY    OF 

tered  upon,  and  from  whence,  through  East  Hartford,  the 
country  is  pleasant,  and  the  land  in  places  very  good  ;  in 
others  sandy  and  weak.  I  find  by  conversing  with  the  farm- 
ers along  this  road,  that  a  medium  crop  of  wheat  to  the 
acre  is  about  15  bushels — of  corn,  20 — of  oats,  the  same — 
and  in  their  strong  and  fresh  lands  they  get  as  much  wheat 
as  they  can  rye  to  the  acre — but  in  warm  or  sandy  land  the 
latter  yields  most.  They  go  more,  however,  upon  grazing 
than  either  ;  and  consequently  beef,  butter  and  cheese,  with 
pork,  are  the  articles  which  they  carry  to  market. 

TUESDAY,  10th. 

Left  Hartford  about  7  o'clock,  and  took  the  middle  road 
(instead  of  the  one  through  Middletown,  which  I  went). — 
Breakfasted  at  Worthington,  in  the  township  of  Berlin,  at 
the  house  of  one  Fuller.  Bated  at  Smith's  on  the  plains  of 
Wallingford,  13  miles  from  Fuller's,  which  is  the  distance 
Fuller's  is  from  Hartford — and  got  into  New  Haven  which 
is  13  miles  more,  about  half  an  hour  before  sun-down.  At 
this  place  I  met  Mr.  Gerry,23  in  the  stage  from  New  York, 
who  gave  me  the  first  cert'n  acct.  of  the  health  of  Mrs. 
Washington. 

WEDNESDAY,  llth. 

Set  out  about  sunrise,  and  took  the  upper  road  to  Mil- 
ford,  it  being  shorter  than  the  lower  one  through  West 
Haven.  Breakfasted  at  the  former.  Baited  at  Fairfield  ; 
and  dined  and  lodged  at  a  Maj.  Marvin's,  9  miles  further  ; 
which  is  not  a  good  house,  though  the  people  of  it  were 
disposed  to  do  all  they  could  to  accommodate  me. 

THURSDAY,  12th. 
A  little  before  sunrise  we  left  Marvin's,  and -breakfasting 


23.  Elbridge  Gerry,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence, and  then  a  member  of  Congress  from  Massachusetts. 


WASHINGTON.  47 

at  Stamford,  13  miles  distant,  reached  the  Widow  Havi- 
land's,  12  miles  further  ;  where,  on  acct.  of  some  lame 
horses,  we  remained  all  night.  The  badness  of  these  roads 
having  been  described  as  I  went,  I  shall  say  nothing  of 
them  now. 

FRIDAY,  13th. 

Left  Mrs.  Haviland's  as  soon  as  we  could  see  the  road, 
and  breakfasted  at  Hoyet's  tavern,  this  side  King's-bridge, 
and  between  two  and  three  o'clock  arrived  at  my  house  at 
New  York,  where  I  found  Mrs.  Washington  and  the  rest  of 
the  family  all  well24 — and  it  being  Mrs.  Washington's  night 
to  receive  visits,  a  pretty  large  company  of  ladies  and  gen- 
tlemen were  present. 

SATURDAY,  14th. 

At  home  all  day — except  taking  a  walk  around  the  Bat- 
tery in  the  afternoon. 

At  4  o'clock  received  and  answered  an  Address  from  the 
President  and  Corporation  of  Dartmouth  College — and 
about  noon  sundry  visits. 

SUNDAY,  15th. 

Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon — and  after 
returning  from  thence  was  visited  by  Majr.  Butler,  Majr. 
Meredith  and  Mr.  Smith,  So.  Car'a.  Received  an  invitation 
to  attend  the  Funeral  of  Mrs.  Roosevelt,  (the  wife  of  a 
Senator  of  this  State)  but  declined  complying  with  it — 
first,  because  the  propriety  of  accepting  any  invitation  of 


24.  It  will  be  observed  that  in  this  tour,  the  President  avoided  Rhode 
Island,  that  state  and  North  Carolina  having,  as  yet,  refused  to  ratify  the 
Federal  Constitution,  and  were  considered  as  essentially  foreign  states.  On 
the  day  when  the  President  returned  to  New  York,  the  new  convention  of 
North  Carolina  voted  to  ratify  the  Federal  Constitution  ;  and  Rhode  Island 
was  admitted  into  the  Union  on  the  29th  of  May  following . 


48  DIARY    OF 

this  sort  appeared  very  questionable — and  secondly,  (though 
to  do  it  in  this  instance  might  not  be  improper,)  because  it 
might  be  difficult  to  discriminate  in  cases  which  might 
thereafter  happen.25 

MONDAY,  16th. 

The  Commissioners,-6  who  had  returned  from  the  pro- 
posed treaty  with  the  Creek  Indians  before  me  to  this  city, 
dined  with  me  to-day,  as  did  their  Secretary,  Col°-  Franks, 
and  young  Mr.  Lincoln,  who  accompanied  them. 

TUESDAY,  17th. 
The  visitors  at  the  Levee  to-day  were  numerous. 

WEDNESDAY,  18th. 

Took  a  walk  in  the  forenoon,  and  called  upon  Mr.  Jay 
on  business,  but  he  was  not  within.  On  my  return,  paid 
Mr.  Vaughan,  Senr.  a  visit,  informal. 

Sent  a  Commission  as  District  Judge  of  So..  Carolina,  to 
the  Hon'ble  William  Drayton,  of  that  State. 

THURSDAY,  19th. 

The  following  company  dined  here  to-day,  viz  : — Mrs. 
Adams,  (lady  to  the  Vice-President,)  Col.  Smith  and  lady, 


25.  The  etiquette  of  the  President's  household  and  his  intercourse  with 
the  public  at  large,  were  matters  of  much  greater  moment  than  they  might 
at  first  thought  appear.    The  precedents  of  Monarchy  might  not  be  fol- 
lowed in  a  simple  Kepublic,  and  yet  a  certain  dignity  was  to  be  preserved. 
The  arrangement  of  official  ceremonials  connected  with  the  President,  ap- 
pears to  have  been  chiefly  left  to  Colonel  Humphreys,  a  former  aid-de-camp 
of  Washington,  and  very  recently  Secretary  of  Legation  at  Paris.     The  cus- 
toms which  were  established  during  Washington's  administration  concern- 
ing the  levees,  the  President  not  returning  visits,  et  cetera,  have  ever  since 
prevailed  ;  and  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  Republic  is  never  seen  in  the 
position  of  a  private  citizen. 

26.  General  Lincoln,  Colonel  Humphreys,  and  David  Griffin,  late  Presi- 
dent of  Congress. 


WASHINGTON.  49 

and  Miss  Smith,  Mrs.  Adams's  niece — Gov'r  Clinton  and 
lady,  and  Miss  Cornelia  Clinton27 — and  Maj.  Butler,  his 
lady  and  two  daughters. 

FRIDAY,  20th. 

The  visitors  of  gent'n  and  ladies  to  Mrs.  Washington 
this  evening  were  numerous  and  respectable. 

SATURDAY,  21st. 

Received  in  the  afternoon  the  Report  from  the  Commis. 
sioners  appointed  to  treat  with  the  Southern  Indians — gave 
it  one  reading — and  shall  bestow  another  and  more  atten- 
tive one  on  it. 

SyNDAY,  22d. 

Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon — heard  a 
charity  sermon  for  the  benefit  of  the  Orphan's  School  of 
this  city. 

Had  a  good  deal  of  conversation  in  the  evening  with  the 
above  Commissioners  on  the  more  minute  part  of  their  trans- 
actions at  the  Treaty  with  the  Creek  Indians — and  their 
opinion  with  respect  to  the  real  views  of  Mr.  McGillevey,28 
the  principles  of  whose  conduct  they  think  is  self-interest, 
and  a  dependence  for  support  on  Spain.  They  think  also, 
that  having  possessed  himself  of  the  outlines  of  the  terms 
he  could  treat  with  the  United  States  upon,  he  wished  to 
postpone  the  Treaty  to  see  if  he  could  not  obtain  better 
from  Spain.  They  think  that,  though  he  does  not  want 
abilities,  he  has  credit  to  the  full  extent  of  them,  and  that 
he  is  but  a  short-sighted  politician.  He  acknowledges, 


27.  Miss  Clinton  afterwards  married  the  Minister  of  the  French  Repub- 
lic, to  the  United  States,  Edmund  Charles  Genet. 

28.  Alexander  McGillivray  was  then  head  chief  of  the  .Creek  nation.    He 
was  the  son  of  a  Creek  woman  by  a  Scotchman,  who  was  a  wealthy  Tory  in 
Georgia  during  the  Revolution.     His  property  was  confiscated,  and  his  son 
took  refuge  among  the  Creeks,  and  by  reason  of  his  superior  talents  became 
"  the  beloved  man,"  or  head  chief  of  that  nation. 


50  DIARY   OF 

however,  that  an  alliance  between  the  Creek  Nation  and 
the  United  States  is  the  most  natural  one,  and  what  they 
ought  to  prefer,  if  to  be  obtained  on  equal  terms.  A  free 
post  in  the  latter  seems  to  be  a  favourite  object  with  him. 

MONDAY,  23d. 

Rid  five  or  six  miles  between  breakfast  and   dinner. 
Called  upon  Mr.  Vanberckel29  and  Mrs.  Adams. 

TUESDAY,  24th. 

A  good  deal  of  company  at  the  Levee  to-day.     Went  to 
play  in  the  evening30 — sent  tickets  to  the  following  ladies 


29.  Peter  J.  Van  Berckel,  of  Rotterdam*,  was  the  resident  diplomatic 
agent  of  the  United   Netherlands,  near  the  government  of  the  United 
States.     He  died  at  Newark,  New  Jersey,  on  the  17th  of  December,  1800, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years. 

30.  The  theatre  was  in  John  street,  north  side,  not  far  from  Broadway. 
It  was  a  small,  ricketty  affair,  and  capable  of  holding  only  about  three 
hundred  persons.     A  German,  named  Feyles,  was  the  leader  of  the  orches- 
tra.    He  composed  the  President's  March  for  this  occasion,  and  that  tune 
was  played  at  the  moment  when  Washington  and  his  friends  entered  the 
theatre.     It  was  afterward  slightly  altered,  and  has  been  known  as  Hail 
Columbia  ever  since.     It  was  doubtless  on  this  occasion  that  Wignell  per- 
formed the  part  of  Darby  in  the  interlude  of  Darby's  Return,  a  play  written 
by  William  Dunlap.      Darby,  an  Irish  lad,  recounts  his  adventures  in  the 
United  States  and  elsewhere.     When  he  told  of  what  befell  him  in  New 
York  at  the  inauguration  of  the  President,  &c.,  "  the  interest  expressed  by 
the  audience,"  says  Dunlap,  "in  the  looks  and  the  changes  of  countenance 
of  the  great  man  [Washington]  became  intense. ' '    At  the  descriptive  lines, 

"  A  man  who  fought  to  free  the  land  from  wo, 

Like  me,  had  left  his  form,  a  soldiering  to  go, 

But  having  gained  his  point,  he  had,  like  me, 

Returned,  his  own  potato  ground  to  see. 

But  there  he  could  not  rest.    With  one  accord, 

He  is  call'd  to  be  a  kind  of— not  a  lord — 

I  don't  know  what;  he's  not  a  great  man  sure, 

For  poor  men  love  him  just  as  he  were  poor,'' 
the  President  looked  serious  ;  and  when  Kathleen  asked, 

"  How  looked  he,  Darby  ?    Was  he  short  or  tall  ?" 
his  countenance  showed  embarrassment,  from  the  expectation  of  one  of 


WASHINGTON.  51 

and  gentlemen  and  invited  them  to  seats  in  my  box,  viz  : — 
Mrs.  Adams,  (lady  of  the  Vice-President,)  Genl.  Schuyler 
and  lady,  Mr.  King  and  lady,  Majr.  Butler  and  lady,  Col°- 
Hamilton  and  lady,  Mrs.  Green — all  of  whom  accepted  and 
came,  except  Mrs.  Butler,  who  was  indisposed. 

WEDNESDAY,  25th. 

Exercised  on  horseback  between  breakfast  and  dinner — 
in  which,  returning,  I  called  upon  Mr.  Jay  and  Gen.  Knox 
on  business — and  made  informal  visits  to  the  Gov'r,  Mr. 
Izard,  Genl.  Schuyler,  and  Mrs.  Dalton.  The  following 
company  dined  with  me,  viz  : 

Doctr.  Johnson  and  lady  and  daughter  (Mrs.  Neely),  Mr. 
Izard  and  lady  and  son,  Mr.  Smith  (So.  Carolina)  and  lady, 
Mr.  Kean  and  lady,  and  the  Chief  Justice,  Mr.  Jay. 

After  which  I  went  with  Mrs.  Washington  to  the  dancing 
assembly,  where  I  stayed  until  10  o'clock. 

THURSDAY,  26th. 

Being  the  day  appointed  for  a  thanksgiving,  I  went  to 
St.  Paul's  Chapel,  though  it  was  most  inclement  and  stormy 
— but  few  people  at  Church. 

FRIDAY,  27th. 
Not  many  visits  this  evening  to  Mrs.  Washington. 

SATURDAY,  28th. 
Exercised  on  horseback. 

SUNDAY,  29th. 
Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon. 


those  eulogiums  which  he  had  been  obliged  to  hear  on  many  public  occa- 
sions, and  which  must  doubtless  have  been  a  severe  trial  to  his  feelings." 
The  President  was  relieved  by  Darby's  declaration  that  he  had  not  seen  him. 


52  DIARY    OF 

MONDAY,  30th. 

Went  to  the  Play  in  the  evening,  and  presented  tickets 
to  the  following  persons,  viz  : — Doctr.  Johnson  and  lady, 
Mr.  Dalton  and  lady,  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States 
and  lady,  Secretary  of  War  and  lady,  Baron  de  Steuben, 
and  Mrs.  Green. 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  1st. 

A  pretty  full  Levee  to-day — among  the  visitors  was  the 
Vice-President  and  all  the  Senators  in  town.  Exercised 
on  horseback  between  10  and  12. 

Read  the  papers  relative  to  our  affairs  with  the  Emperor 
of  Morocco,  and  sent  them  to  Mr.  Jay  to  prepare  answers 
to  them. 

WEDNESDAY,  2d. 

Exercised  in  the  post  chaise  with  Mrs.  Washington — 
visited  on  our  return  the  Vice-President  and  family — after- 
wards walked  to  Mr.  King's — neither  he  nor  his  lady  were 
at  home,  or  to  be  seen. 

THURSDAY,  3d. 

The  following  gentlemen  and  ladies  dined  here,  viz  : — 
Gen.  Schuyler,  his  lady  and  daughter,  (Mrs.  Ranselaer)  Mr. 
Dalton  and  his  lady,  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  and  his 
lady,  Gen.  Knox  and  lady,  and  Mrs.  Greene,  Baron  de 
Steuben,  Col.  Osgood,  (Post  Master  Gen'l)  and  the  Treasu- 
rer, Majr.  Meredith. 

FRIDAY,  4th. 

A  great  number  of  visters  (gentlemen  and  ladies)  this 
evening  to  Mrs.  Washington. 

The  Governor  of  New  Jersey,  and  the  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Assembly  of  that  State,  presented  an  Address 
from  the  Legislature  thereof,  and  received  an  answer  to  it, 
after  which  thev  dined  with  me. 


WASHINGTON.  53 

SATURDAY,  5th. 

Exercised  on  horseback  between  10  and  12  o'clock. 

The  Vice-President  and  lady  and  two  sons — Col.  Smith 
and  lady,  and  his  sister,  and  Mrs.  Adams's  niece,  dined 
here. 

SUNDAY,  6th. 
Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon. 

MONDAY,  7th. 
Walked  around  the  Battery  in  the  afternoon. 

TUESDAY,  8th. 

Finished  my  extracts  from  the  Commissioners'  Report  of 
their  proceedings  at  the  Treaty  with  the  Creek  Indians — 
and  from  many  other  papers  respecting  Indian  matters  and 
the  Western  Territory.  A  full  levee  to-day. 

WEDNESDAY,  9th. 
Walked  around  the  Battery. 

THURSDAY,  10th. 

Exercised  on  horseback  between  10  and  12  o'clock. 

The  following  company  dined  here  to-day,  viz :  Mrs, 
King  and  Mr.  Few,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harrison,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wolcott,  Mr.  Duer,  his  lady,  and  Miss  Brown,  Mr.  Griffin 
and  lady,  and  Lady  Christiana  and  her  daughter. 

FRIDAY,  llth. 

Being  rainy  and  bad,  no  person  except  the  Vice-Presi- 
dent  visited  Mrs.  Washington  this  evening. 

SATURDAY,  12th. 
Exercised  in  the  coach  with  Mrs.  Washington  and  the 


54  DIARY    OF 

two  children,  (Master31  and  Miss  Custis,)  between  break- 
fast and  dinner — went  the  14  miles  round. 

SUNDAY,  13th. 
Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon. 

MONDAY,  14th. 

Walked  around  the  Battery  in  the  afternoon. 
TUESDAY,  15th. 

Exercised  on  horseback  about  10  o'clock — called  on  the 
Secretary  for  the  Department  of  War,  and  gave  him  the 
heads  of  many  letters  to  be  written  to  characters  in  the 
Western  Country,  relative  chiefly  to  Indian  Affairs. 

Visitors  to  the  levee  to-day  were  not  very  numerous, 
though  respectable. 

WEDNESDAY,  16th. 

Dined  with  Mrs.  Washington  and  all  the  family,  (except 
the  two  children)  at  Governor  Clinton's — where  also  dined 
the  Vice-President,  the  Mayor  (Col°-  Varick)  and  his  lady, 
and  old  Mr.  Van  Berkel  and  his  daughter. 

THURSDAY,  17th. 

The  following  company  dined  here,  viz  :  The  Chief  Jus- 
tice of  the  U.  States  and  his  lady  ;  Mr.  King,  Col°-  and 
Mrs.  Lawrence,  Mrs.  Gerry,  Mr.  Egbert  Benson,  Bishop 
Provost,  and  Doct.  Lynn  and  his  lady. 

FRIDAY,  18th. 

Read  over  and  digested  my  thoughts  upon  the  subject  of 
a  National  Militia,  from  the  plans  of  the  militia  of  Europe, 
those  of  the  Secretary  at  War,  and  the  Baron  de  Steuben. 


31.  George  Washington  Parke  Custis,  who  was  for  a  long  time  the  last 
surviving  executor  of  the  Will  of  Washington.  He  died  at  Arlington 
House,  near  Alexandria,  Virginia,  on  the  10th  of  October,  1857,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-six  years. 


WASHINGTON.  55 

SATURDAY,  19th. 

Committed  the  above  thoughts  to  writing,  in  order  to 
send  them  to  the  Secretary  for  the  Department  of  War,  to 
be  worked  into  the  form  of  a  Bill,  with  which  to  furnish 
the  Committee  of  Congress  which  had  been  appointed  to 
draught  one. 

SUNDAY,  20th. 
Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon. 

MONDAY,  21st. 

Framed  the  above  thoughts  on  the  subject  of  a  National 
Militia  into  the  form  of  a  Letter,  and  sent  it  to  the  Secre- 
tary for  the  Department  of  War. 

Sat  from  ten  to  one  o'clock  for  a  Mr.  Savage,32  to  draw 
my  Portrait  for  the  University  of  Cambridge,  in  the  State 
of  Massachusetts,  at  the  request  of  the  President  and  Gov- 
ernors of  the  said  University. 

TUESDAY,  22d. 

A  pretty  full  and  respectable  Levee  to-day — at  which 
several  members  of  Congress,  newly  arrived,  attended. 

WEDNESDAY,  23d. 

Exercised  in  the  Post- Chaise  with  Mrs.  Washington  to- 
day. 

Sent  the  dispatches  which  came  to  me  from  the  Assembly 


32.  Edward  Savage  was  a  native  of  New  England.  He  had  painted  in 
Philadelphia  before  going  to  New  York  in  1789.  He  was  an  indifferent 
painter  and  engraver  ;  and  John  Wesley  Jarvis,  who  was  his  pupil,  soon 
exceeded  his  master  in  skill.  He  had  a  kind  of  museum  and  picture  gal- 
lery in  Greenwich  street,  New  York,  for  a  while.  He  published  a  print 
called  The  Washington  Family,  which  has  been  reproduced  in  lithography, 
in  our  day.  It  was  engraved  by  Edwin,  a  skillful  engraver,  assisted  by 
Jarvis. 


56  DIARY   OP 

of  Virginia,  and  from  the  Representatives  of  several  Coun- 
ties therein,  respecting  the  state  of  the  frontiers  and  depre- 
dations of  the  Indians,  to  the  Secretary  for  the  Department 
of  War,  requesting  his  attendance  to-morrow  at  9  o'clock, 
that  I  might  converse  more  fully  with  him  on  the  subject  of 
the  communications. 

THURSDAY,  24th. 

The  Secretary  of  War  coming  according  to  appointment, 
he  was  instructed,  after  conversing  fully  on  the  matter, 
what  answers  to  return  to  the  Executive  of  Virginia,  and 
to  the  Representatives  of  the  frontier  counties. 

FRIDAY,  25th — Christmas  Day. 

Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon. 
The  visitors  to  Mrs.  Washington  this  afternoon  were  not 
numerous,  but  respectable. 

SATURDAY,  26th. 

Exercised  on  horseback  in  the  forenoon.  Chief  Justice 
Morris  and  the  Mayor,  (Col°-  Varick)  and  their  ladies, 
Judge  Hobart,  Col°-  Cole,  Majr.  Oilman,  Mrs.  Brown, 
Secretary  Otis,  and  Mr.  Beekley,  dined  here. 

SUNDAY,  27th. 
At  home — all  day — weather  being  bad. 

MONDAY,  28th. 

Sat  all  the  forenoon  for  Mr.  Savage,  who  was  taking  my 
portrait. 

TUESDAY,  29th. 

Being  very  snowy,  not  a  single  person  appeared  at  the 
Levee. 

WEDNESDAY,  30th. 

Exercised  in  a  carriage. 


WASHINGTON.  57 

THURSDAY,  31st. 

Bad  weather  and  close  house. 

The  Vice-President  and  lady,  Col°-  Smith  and  lady, 
Chan'r  Livingston,  lady  and  sister,  Baron  Steuben,  Messrs. 
White,  Gerry,  Partridge  and  Tucker,  of  the  House  of  Re- 
presentatires,  dined  here  to-day. 

JANUARY,    1790. 
FRIDAY,  1st. 

The  Vice-President,  the  Governor,  the  Senators,  Mem- 
bers of  the  House  of  Representatives  in  town,  foreign 
public  characters,  and  all  the  respectable  citizens,  came 
between  the  hours  of  12  and  3  o'clock,  to  pay  the  compli- 
ments of  the  season  to  me — and  in  the  afternoon  a  great 
number  of  gentlemen  and  ladies  visited  Mrs.  Washington 
on  the  same  occasion. 

SATURDAY,  2d. 

Exercised  in  the  carriage  with  Mrs.  Washington.  Read 
the  report  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  respecting  the 
state  of  his  Department  and  proposed  plans  of  finance. — 
Drank  tea  at  the  Chief  Justice's  of  the  U.  States. 

SUNDAY,  3d. 
Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel. 

MONDAY,  4th. 

Informed  the  President  of  the  Senate,  and  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  that  I  had  some  oral  communica- 
tions to  make  to  Congress  when  each  house  had  a  quorum, 
and  desired  to  be  informed  thereof — and  of  the  time  and 
place  they  would  receive  them.33 


33.  The  second  session  of  the  first  Congress  commenced  on  the  fourth 
day  of  January,  1790.  Ten  members  only  of  the  Senate  having  answered 
to  their  names,  the  Senate  was  adjourned  for  want  of  a  quorum.  A  quorum 
of  both  houses  appeared  on  the  6th. 


58  DIARY    OF 

Walked  around  the  Battery  in  the  afternoon. 

Received  a  report  from  the  Secretary  at  War  respecting 
the  state  of  the  frontiers  and  Indian  affairs,  with  other  mat- 
ters which  I  ordered  to  be  laid  before  Congress,  as  part  of 
the  papers  which  will  be  referred  to  in  my  speech  to  that 
body. 

TUESDAY,  5th. 

Several  Members  of  Congress  called  in  the  forenoon  to 
pay  their  respects  on  their  arrival  in  town,  but  though  a 
respectable  Levee,  at  the  usual  hour,  three  o'clock,  the 
visitors  were  not  numerous. 

WEDNESDAY,  6th. 

Sat  from  half  after  8  o'clock  till  10  for  the  portrait 
painter,  Mr.  Savage,  to  finish  the  picture  of  me  which  he 
had  begun  for  the  University  of  Cambridge. 

In  the  afternoon  walked  around  the  Battery. 

Miss  Anne  Brown  stayed  here,  on  a  visit  to  Mrs.  Wash- 
ington, to  a  family  dinner. 

THURSDAY,  7th. 

About  one  o'clock  rec'd  a  Committee  from  both  Houses 
of  Congress,34  informing  me  that  each  had  made  a  house, 
and  would  be  ready  at  any  time  I  should  appoint  to  receive 
the  communications  I  had  to  make  in  the  Senate  Chamber. 
Named  to-morrow,  11  o'clock,  for  this  purpose. 

The  following  gentlemen  dined  here,  viz  :  Messrs.  Lang- 
don,  Wingate,  Strong  and  Few,  of  the  Senate,  the  Speaker, 
Genl.  Muhlenberg  and  Scott,  of  Pennsylvania,  Judge  Liv- 
ermore  and  Foster,  of  New  Hampshire,  Aimes  and  Thatcher 
and  Goodhue,  of  Massachusetts,  Mr.  Burke,  of  South  Car- 
olina, and  Mr.  Baldwin,  of  Georgia. 


34.  Messrs.  Strong  and  Izard  on  the  part  of  the  Senate,  and  Messrs.  Gil- 
man,  Ames  and  Seney,  in  behalf  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 


WASHINGTON.  59 

FRIDAY,  8th. 

According  to  appointment,  at  11  o'clock,  I  set  out  for 
the  City  Hall  in  my  coach,  preceded  by  Colonel  Hum- 
phreys and  Majr.  Jackson  in  uniform,  (on  my  two  white 
horses)  and  followed  by  Messrs.  Lear  and  Nelson,  in  my 
chariot,  and  Mr.  Lewis,  on  horseback,  following  them.  In 
their  rear  was  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States  and 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  and  War  Departments,  in  their 
respective  carriages,  and  in  the  order  they  are  named.  At 
the  outer  door  of  the  hall  I  was  met  by  the  door-keepers  of 
the  Senate  and  House,  and  conducted  to  the  door  of  the 
Senate  Chamber  ;  and  passing  from  thence  to .  the  Chair 
through  the  Senate  on  the  right,  and  House  of  Representa- 
tives on  the  left,  I  took  my  seat.  The  gentlemen  who  at- 
tended me  followed  and  took  their  stand  behind  the  Sena- 
tors ;  the  whole  rising  as  I  entered.  After  being  seated, 
at  which  time  the  members  of  both  Houses  also  sat,  I  rose, 
(as  they  also  did)  and  made  my  speech ;  delivering  one  copy 
to  the  President  of  the  Senate,  and  another  to  the  Speaker 
of  the  House  of  Representatives — after  which,  and  being 
a  few  moments  seated,  I  retired,  bowing  on  each  side  to  the 
assembly  (who  stood)  as  I  passed,  and  descending  to  the 
lower  hall,  attended  as  before,  I  returned  with  them  to  my 
house. 

In  the  evening  a  great  number  of  ladies,  and  many  gen- 
tlemen visited  Mrs.  Washington. 

On  this  occasion  I  was  dressed  in  a  suit  of  clothes  made 
at  the  Woolen  Manufactory  at  Hartford,  as  the  buttons 
also  were. 

SATURDAY,  9th. 
Exercised  with  Mrs.  Washington  and  the  children  in  the 


60  DIARY   OF 

coach   the  14  miles  around.35     In  the  afternoon  walked 
around  the  Battery. 

SUNDAY,  10th. 

Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon — wrote  pri- 
vate letters  in  the  afternoon  for  the  Southern  mail. 

MONDAY,  llth. 

Sent  my  instructions  to  the  Commissioners  (appointed  to 
negotiate  a  Treaty  with  the  Creek  Indians)  with  the  report 
of  their  -proceedings  to  the  Senate  by  the  Secretary  at  War, 
previous  to  their  being  laid  before  them  and  the  other  house 
in  their  legislative  capacities. 

Also  communicated  to  both  Houses,  transcripts  of  the 
adoption  and  ratification  of  the  New  Constitution  by  the 
State  of  North  Carolina,  with  copies  of  the  letter  from  His 
Excellency,  Saml.  Johnson,  President  of  the  Convention, 
enclosing  the  same.  These  were  sent  by  my  private  Secre- 
tary, Mr.  Lear. 

TUESDAY,  12th. 

Exercised  on  horseback  between  10  and  12 — yc  riding 
bad.  Previous  to  this,  I  sent  written  messages  to  both 
Houses  of  Congress,  informing  them  that  the  Secretary  at 
War  would  lay  before  them  a  full  and  complete  statement 
of  the  business  as  it  respected  the  negotiation  with  the 
Creek  Indians — my  instructions  to,  and  the  Commission- 
ers' report  of  their  proceedings  with  those  people — the 
letters  and  other  papers  respecting  depredations  on  the 
western  frontiers  of  Virginia,  and  District  of  Kentucky. 


35.  The  route  was  by  the  old  King's  Bridge  road,  which  passed  over 
Murray  Hill,  where  Lexington  Avenue  now  does,  to  McGowan's  Pass  at 
about  One  hundred  and  eighth  street ;  then  across  on  a  line  with  the  Har- 
lem river  to  Bloomingdale,  and  so  down  on  the  westerly  side  of  the  island. 


WASHINGTON.  61 

All  of  which  was  for  their  full  information,  but  communi- 
cated in  confidence,  and  under  injunction  that  no  copies  be 
taken,  or  communications  made  of  such  parts  as  ought  to  be 
kept  secret. 

About  two  o'clock  a  Committee  of  the  Senate  waited  on 
me  with  a  copy  of  their  address,  in  answer  to  my  speech, 
and  requesting  to  know  at  what  time  and  place  it  should  be 
presented.  I  named  my  own  house,  and  Thursday  next,  at 
11  o'clock,  for  the  purpose. 

Just  before  Levee  hour,  a  Committee  from  the  House  of 
Representatives  called  upon  me  to  know  when  and  where 
they  should  deliver  their  address.  I  named  twelve  o'clock 
on  Thursday;  but  finding  it  was  their  wish  that  it  should  be 
presented  at  the  Federal  Hall,  and  offering  to  surrender  the 
Representatives'  Chamber  for  this  purpose,  by  retiring  into 
one  of  the  Committee  rooms,  and  there  waiting  until  I  was 
ready  to  receive  it,  I  would  consider  on  the  place,  and  let 
them  know  my  determination  before  the  House  should  sit 
to-morrow.36 

A  respectable,  though  not  a  full  Levee  to-day. 

WEDNESDAY,  13th. 

After  duly  considering  on  the  place  for  receiving  the 
address  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  I  concluded  that 
it  would  be  best  to  do  it  at  my  own  house — first,  because  it 
seems  most  consistent  with  usage  and  custom — 2d,  because 
there  is  no  third  place  in  the  Federal  Hall  (prepared)  to 


36,  As  soon  as  the  President  and  House  of  Kepresentatives  had  retired, 
the  Senate  ordered  the  President's  speech  to  be  printed  ;  also  appointed  a 
committee,  consisting  of  Messrs.  King,  Izard  and  Paterson,  to  report  the 
draft  of  an  answer  to  it.  On  the  9th,  the  House  of  Representatives  took 
similar  action,  and  appointed  as  its  committee,  Messrs.  Smith,  of  South 
Carolina,  Clymer  and  Lawrence.  Mr.  King  reported  an  address  to  the 
Senate  on  the  llth,  which  was  accepted;  and  the  following  day  similar 
action  was  had  in  the  House. 

9 


62  DIARY   OF 

which  I  could  call  them,  and  to  go  into  either  of  the  cham- 
bers appropriated  to  the  Senate  or  Representatives,  did  not 
appear  proper  ;  and  3d,  because  I  had  appointed  my  own 
house  for  the  Senate  to  deliver  their's  in,  and  accordingly 
appointed  my  own  house  to  receive  it. 

THURSDAY,  14th. 

At  the  hours  appointed,  the  Senate  and  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives presented  their  respective  addresses — the  mem- 
bers of  both  coming  in  carriages,  and  the  latter  with  the 
Mace  preceding  the  Speaker.  The  address  of  the  Senate 
was  presented  by  the  Vice-President — and  that  of  the 
House  by  the  Speaker  thereof. 

The  following  gentlemen  dined  here  to-day,  viz  : 
Messrs.  Henry  and  Maclay,  of  the  Senate — and  Messrs. 
Wadsworth,  Trumbull,  Floyd,  Boudinot,  Wynkoop,  Seney, 
Page,  Lee,  and  Mathews,  of  the  House  of  Representatives  ; 
and  Mr.  John  Trumbull. 

FRIDAY,  15th. 

Snowing  all  day — but  few  ladies  and  gentlemen  as  visit- 
ors this  evening  to  Mrs.  Washington. 

SATURDAY,  16th. 

Exercised  in  the  coach  with  Mrs.  Washington  and  the 
two  children,  about  12  o'clock. 

Sent  the  Report  of  the  Post  Master  General  relative  to 
the  necessary  changes  in  that  office  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury,  that  it  may  be  laid  before  Congress — or  such 
parts  thereof  as  may  be  necessary  for  their  information. 

SUNDAY,  17th. 
At  home  all  day — not  well. 

MONDAY,  18th. 

Still  indisposed  with  an  aching  tooth,  and  swelled  and 
inflamed  gum. 


WASHINGTON.  63 

TUESDAY,  19th. 

Not  much  company  at  the  Levee  to-day — but  the  visitors 
were  respectable. 

WEDNESDAY,  20th. 

A  Report  from  the  Secretary  at  War,  on  the  subject  of  a 
National  Militia,  altered  agreeably  to  the  ideas  I  had  com- 
municated to  him,  was  presented  to  me,  in  order  to  be  laid 
before  Congress. 

THUESDAY,  21st. 

The  above  report  was  accordingly  transmitted  to  both 
Houses  of  Congress  by  the  Secretary  at  War,  in  a  written 
message  from  me. 

The  following  gentlemen  dined  here,  viz  : — Messrs.  Els- 
worth,  Paterson,  Elmer,  Bassett,  and  Hawkins,  of  the 
Senate — and  Messrs.  Sherman,  Cadwalader,  Clymer,  Hart- 
ley, Heister,  Smith,  (Maryland)  and  Jackson,  of  the  House 
of  Representatives — and  Major  Meredith,  Treasurer  of  the 
United  States. 

FRIDAY,  22d. 

Exercised  on  horseback  in  the  forenoon. 

Called  in  my  ride  on  the  Baron  de  Polenitz,  to  see  the 
operation  of  his  (Winlaw's)  threshing  machine.37  The 
effect  was,  the  heads  of  the  wheat  being  separated  from  the 
straw,  as  much  of  the  first  was  run  through  the  mill  in  15 
minutes  as  made  half  a  bushel  of  clean  wheat — allowing  8 


37.  The  Baron  de  Poelnitz  had  a  small  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Murray 
Hill,  where  he  tried  experiments  in  agriculture.  He  wrote  a  pamphlet  on 
the  subject,  and  also  suggested  to  Washington  the  propriety  of  establishing 
a  farm  under  the  patronage  of  the  government.  The  Baron  was  the  in- 
ventor of  various  agricultural  machines.  In  a  letter  to  him,  written  in 
December  previous,  Washington  proposed  to  take  some  occasion  ' '  of  seeing 
the  manner  in  which  the  threshing  machine  operates. ' '  That  occasion  is 
here  noted. 


64  DIARY  OP 

working  hours  in  the  24,  this  would  yield  16  bushels  pr.  day. 
Two  boys  are  sufficient  to  turn  the  wheel,  feed  the  mill,  and 
remove  the  threshed  grain  after  it  has  passed  through  it. 
Two  men  were  unable,  by  winnowing,  to  clear  the  wheat  as 
it  passed  through  the  mill,  but  a  common  Dutch  fan,  with 
the  usual  attendance,  would  be  more  than  sufficient  to  do  it. 
The  grain  passes  through  without  bruising  and  is  well  sep- 
arated from  the  chaff.  Women,  or  boys  of  12  or  14  years 
of  age,  are  fully  adequate  to  the  management  of  the  mill  or 
threshing  machine.  Upon  the  whole,  it  appears  to  be  an 
easier,  more  expeditious,  and  much  cleaner  way  of  getting 
out  grain  than  by  the  usual  mode  of  threshing  ;  and  vastly 
to  be  preferred  to  treading,  which  is  hurtful  to  horses, 
filthy  to  the  wheat,  and  not  more  expeditious,  considering 
the  numbers  that  are  employed  in  the  process  from  the 
time  the  head  is  begun  to  be  formed  until  the  grain  has 
passed  finally  through  the  fan. 

Many  and  respectable  visitors  to  Mrs.  "Washington  this 
evening. 

SATURDAY,  23d. 

Went  with  Mrs.  Washington  in  the  forenoon  to  see  the 
Paintings  of  Mr.  Jno.  Trumbull. 

SUNDAY,  24th. 

Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon. 
Writing  private  letters  in  the  afternoon. 

MONDAY,  25th. 

A  Mr.  Francis  Bailey,  introduced  by  Messrs.  Scott  and 
Hartley,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Mr.  White,  of  Virginia, 
offered  a  paper,  in  the  nature  of  a  Petition,  setting  forth  a 
valuable  discovery  he  had  made  of  marginal  figures  for 
notes,  certificates,  &c..  which  could  not  by  the  ingenuity  of 
man  be  counterfeited — requesting  I  would  appoint  some 


WASHINGTON.  65 

person  to  hear  and  examine  him  on  the  subject ;  that 
if  the  facts  stated  by  him  should  appear  well  founded,  he 
might  (being  a  printer,  of  Philadelphia)  have  the  printing 
of  all  that  sort  of  the  public  business  for  which  this  dis- 
covery should  be  found  useful — and  which  he  would  do  on 
as  good  terms  as  any  other  printer,  independent  of  the  dis- 
covery above  mentioned,  all  the  advantage  he  should  expect 
from  which  being  to  obtain  a  preference. 

Read  a  letter  from  George  Nicholas,  Esq.,  of  Kentucky, 
to  Mr.  Madison,  which  he  put  into  my  hands  for  informa- 
tion of  the  sentiments  of  the  people  of  that  district. 

The  sentiments  are  2d  Nov'r. 

That  in  the  late  Convention  held  in  that  district,  the 
most  important  characters  of  that  party  which  has  al- 
ways been  in  favor  of  a  separation,  oppose  the  agree- 
ing to  it  at  this  time,  upon  a  supposition  that  the  terms 
have  been  changed  by  Virginia,  so  as  to  make  them 
inadmissible  in  their  present  form.  Their  enemies  say 
this  cannot  be  their  true  reason :  but  be  them  what 
they  may,  the  scale  is  turned  against  separation. 

That  he  believes  no  late  attempt  has  been  made  by  either 
Spain  or  England  to  detach  that  district  from  the 
Union — but — 

« 

That  Spain  is  playing  a  game  which,  if  not  counteracted, 
will  depopulate  that  country,  and  carry  most  of  the 
future  emigrants  to  her  territory.  That  they  have 
established  a  new  government,  independent  of  New 
Orleans  at  the  Natchez,  and  sent  thither  a  man  of 
character  and  abilities — who  would  not  for  unimpor- 
tant purposes  have  accepted  the  appointment. 

That  this  new  Governor  has  put  a  stop  to  the  reception 
of  tobacco  from  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States — 
declaring  that  none  shall  be  received  into  the  King's 


66  DIARY    OP 

stores,  (where  it  used  to  be  purchased  and  deposited,) 
except  from  Spanish  subjects — and  that  these  shall 
have  ten  dollars  a  hundred. 

That  other  great  advantages  are  held  out  to  emigrants 
from  the  United  States  to  settle  in  the  Spanish  Terri- 
tory— such  as  a  donation  of  lands,  and  a  certain  sum 
in  money  for  each  family. 

That  the  consequences  of  restriction  on  one  hand,  and 
encouragements  to  settlers  on  the  other,  are  obvious — 
the  difference  of  religion  and  government  are  all  that 
can  make  any  man  hesitate  in  his  choice — and  perfect 
liberty  in  both  these  the  strongest  assurances  are 
given. 

That  the  French  inhabitants  of  that  country,  as  well  as 
future  emigrants  from  the  old  States,  will  certainly  go 
there. 

That  persevering  steadily  in  this  conduct  will  drain  the 
Western  settlements. 

That  these  considerations  ought  to  make  the  Federal 
Government  take  (he  thinks)  the  most  decided  steps 
as  to  the  right  of  navigating  the  Mississippi,  and  induce 
it  to  pay  particular  attention  to  the  gaining  the  affec- 
tions of  the  Western  people. 

That  the  steps  hitherto  taken  with  respect  to  them  have 
had  a  contrary  effect :  no  support  having  been  given 
by  the  General  Government,  and  the  regulation  of  In- 
dian Affairs  having  been  placed  in  hands  who  were 
interested  in  a  continuance  of  their  depredations  on 
the  Kentucky  district. 

That  if  a  trade  is  not  established  with  them  on  such  a 
footing  as  to  supply  their  wants,  that  they  will  do  this 
by  plunder. 


WASHINGTON.  67 

That  the  management  of  this  business  being  in  the  hands 
of  persons  North-West  of  the  Ohio,  it  is  inculcated  on 
the  Jndians  of  the  same  side  of  the  river,  that  as  the 
Kentuckians  and  they  are  separate  people,  and  in  sep- 
arate interests,  they  may  war  with  the  first,  and  not 
with  them.  That  of  this  disposition  and  conduct  there 
are  sufficient  proofs  whenever  it  is  found  that  the  inte- 
rests of  the  two  sides  clash. 

That  the  Commissioners  being  always  named  from  per- 
sons living  on  that  (North-west)  side  of  the  river,  and 
always  holding  the  Treaties  there,  contributes  greatly 
to  establish  in  the  Indian  mind  this  opinion  of  their 
being  a  distinct  people. 

That  the  Kentucky  district  being  20  times  as  numerous 
as  the  inhabitants  of»the  other  side,  ought  to  have  as 
great  a  share  in  the  management  of  Indian  Affairs  as 
the  people  on  the  other  side  have. 

That  he  is  well  convinced  the  bulk  of  the  people  in  that 
district  are  strongly  attached  to  the  Union,  and  that 
characters  might  be  found  there  better  qualified  to 
manage  the  business  than  those  in  whose  hands  it  is 
now  placed. 

That  if  it  is  not  the  desire  of  the  New  Government  to 
lose  all  its  friends  in  that  quarter,  a  change  must  be 
made  in  this  business.  The  Indians  must  be  convinced 
that  the  Americans  are  all  one  people — that  they  shall 
never  attack  any  part  with  impunity — and  that  in  fu- 
ture their  real  wants  will  be  supplied  in  time  of  peace. 
This  is  all  they  ask. 

That  they  deny  in  positive  terms  what  the  officers  on  the 
north-west  side  of  the  river  assert,  viz  : — that  hostili- 
ties are  always  commenced  by  the  people  of  the  Ken- 


68  DIARY   OF 

tucky  district.  Expeditions  have  and  will  be  carried 
on  across  the  river  in  revenge  for  depredations  of  the 
Indians,  until  the  Government  takes  up  the  matter  ef- 
fectually. 

That  Mr.  Brown  (to  whom  he  has  written)  can  inform  in 
what  light  they  are  considered  by  the  officers  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river. 

That  the  want  of  money,  he  knows,  prevents  the  Govern- 
ment from  doing  many  things  which  otherwise  would 
be  undertaken,  but  that  need  not  stop  the  necessary 
steps — because,  if  sanctioned  by  it,  they  can  raise  any 
number  of  men  and  furnish  any  quantity  of  provisions 
that  may  be  wanting,  and  will  wait  until  their  finances 
enable  them  to  make  satisfaction. 

That  he  fears  the  Government  have  taken  up  an  idea  that 
that  country  can  be  defended  by  a  few  posts  along  the 
river — if  so,  it  is  a  most  erroneous  one,  for  an  army 
would  scarcely  supply  the  chain  that  would  be  neces- 
sary. 

That  the  post  at  the  mouth  of  Licking  is  considered  by 
many  in  the  district  of  Kentucky  as  a  check  upon  the 
said  district.  To  this  he  can  only  say,  if  they  are 
treated  as  fellow-citizens,  checks  are  unnecessary — but 
if  it  is  intended  to  withhold  from  all  the  benefits  of 
good  government,  a  little  time  will  shew  that,  as  here- 
tofore, they  have  found  the  troops  useless  and  faithless 
as  friends,  so  in  future  they  shall  despise  them  as  ene- 
mies. 

That  upon  the  whole,  he  shall  close  the  subject  with  assu- 
rances that  Government  are  deceived  in  the  accounts 
they  have  had  from  that  country — and  that  it  is  his 
opinion  that  the  most  serious  consequences  will  follow 


WASHINGTON.  69 

from  its  persisting  in  the  measures  which  have  been 
pursued  for  some  time  past.38 

TUESDAY,  26th. 

Exercised  on  horseback  in  the  forenoon. 
The  visitors  at  the   Levee  to-day  were  numerous  and 
respectable — among  whom  was  the   Vice-President   and 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 

Read  a  letter  handed  to  me  by  the  Secretary  of  "War, 
from  a  Col.  Daniel  Smith,  of  Miro  settlement,  in  the  State 
of  North  Carolina,  in  reply  to  one  which  was  an  answer  to 
a  letter  received  from  the  said  Smith  respecting  Indian  af- 
fairs and  state  of  the  frontier  of  that  part  of  the  Union, 
and  giving  (as  he  was  required  to  do)  an  account  of  the 
navigation  of  the  river  Tennessee  and  its  waters — the  com- 
munication between  these  and  other  waters — and  the  dis- 
tances of  places,  as  follow,  viz  : — 
The  distance  between  the  settlements  of  white  people 
south  of  the  French  Broad  River,  (fl©"  French  Broad 
is  a  branch  of  Holstein39  River,  on  the  south  side, 
which  is  a  branch  of  the  Tennessee,)  and  the  Indians 
at  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Chota,  (a  Cherokee  Indian 
town,)  is  about  12  miles. 

He  never  passed  down  the  Tennessee  himself.  That  part 
of  it  on  which  Chota  stands  is  a  south  fork  of  the  Hol- 
stein— their  junction  is  about  20  miles  below  Chota, 
from  which  the  whole  river  is  called  ye  Tennessee. 

Boats  of  7  or  8  tons  burthen  have  frequently  gone  down 
the  Holstein — and  the  water  is  sufficient  for  those  of 


38.  Kentucky  was  yet  a  district  of  Virginia.     The  people  of  the  territory 
adopted  a  State  Constitution  in  1790,  but  the  separation  from  Virginia  did 
not  take  place  until  1792.    Kentucky  was  admitted  into  the  Union  on  the 
first  of  June,  that  year. 

39.  Holston. 

10 


70  DIARY  OP 

greater  burden  ;  but  there  is  a  place  called  the  Suck, 
or  boiling  pot,  where  the  river  runs  through  the  Cum- 
berland Mountains,  that  is  somewhat  difficult,  occa- 
sioned by  the  narrowness  of  the  water  and  suddenness 
of  the  turn,  that  causes  a  rebound  and  kind  of  whirl- 
pool ;  but  many  boats  have  passed  it,  and  he  has  not 
heard  of  damage  to  any  of  them,  nor  has  he  been  in- 
formed that  there  is  any  material  difficulty  in  the  nav- 
igation more  than  is  common  in  rivers  of  that  size, 
where  there  is  no  tide. 

Between  the  Suck  and  the  Muscle  Shoals,  he  is  sure  there 
is  not. 

Supposes  the  distance  by  water  from  Chota  to  the  last 
mentioned  place,  is  between  3  and  400  miles;  the  width 
of  the  river  is  very  unequal — generally  about  500 
yards,  except  at  the  Suck,  where  it  is  not  half  that 
width. 

The  nature  of  the  river,  for  the  most  part,  is  to  have  a 
bluff  on  one  side  and  low  grounds  on  the  other,  (which 
is  liable  to  be  overflowed)  alternately  ;  the  banks  are 
woody,  and  the  low  grounds  thick  with  cane. 

The  Cherokees  may  be  classed  into  three  divisions.  The 
valley  settlements  on  the  Tennessee  above  Chota,  east- 
ward of  the  Iron  Mountain — those  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Chota — and  those  in  the  neighborhood  of  Chicka- 
mogga,  (which  is  a  creek  running  into  the  Tennessee, 
on  the  south  side,  a  few  miles  above  Suck) — they  have 
detached  villages  besides — but  the  number  of  their 
towns  is  unknown  to  him — nor  can  he  say  what  num- 
ber of  souls  they  may  consist  of,  but  supposes  of  .... 

Warriors,  there  may  be  about  2,000  or  2,500 — and  of  the 
three  divisions,  the  Chickamoggas  are  perhaps  the 
most  numerous. 


WASHINGTON.  71 

Muscle  Shoals  have  different  accounts  given  of  them  by 
people  who  have  passed  them — some  say  they  are  30 
miles,  others  not  15  in  length — but  all  agree  that  the 
river  there  is  about  3  miles  in  width,  very  shallow,  and 
full  of  small  islands  occasioned  by  drift  wood  lodging 
on  the  rocks,  by  which  means  mud  and  sand  are  accu- 
mulated ;  the  lowest  shoal  is  accounted  rather  the 
worst.  It  is  not  possible  for  a  large  boat  to  pass  them 
in  ascending  the  river  at  any  season,  nor  can  they  pass 
down  them  but  in  time  of  a  flood. 

Occhappo  Creek  he  had  never  heard  of — nor  has  he  un- 
derstood there  was  any  creek  on  the  south  side  of  the 
river,  near  the  Muscle  Shoals,  that  was  navigable,  un- 
less when  the  river  was  high.  Seven  or  eight  miles 
below  the  Muscle  Shoals,  there  was  formerly  a  Chero- 
kee village,  at  the  mouth  of  Cold  Water  Creek,  but  he 
never  heard  that  it  was  navigable :  15  or  20  miles 
below  this  again  is  Bear  Crejek,  on  which  a  small  tribe 
of  Delawares  live. 

From  the  mouth  of  Cold  Water  Creek,  or  Bear  Creek, 
to  the  highest  navigation  of  the  Mobile,  he  has  heard 
it  accounted  60  miles,  but  cannot  say  that  it  is  so ;  the 
head  waters  of  the  Mobile  may  be  about  half  that  dis- 
tance from  the  Tennessee. 

Miro  is  the  name  of  the  district  on  Cumberland  that  in- 
cludes three  counties.  Nashville  is  the  name  of  the 
town  where  the  Superior  Court  is  held.  From  hence 
to  the  lower  end  of  the  Muscle  Shoals  is  about  150 
miles,  nearly  south. 

Duck  River,  a  north  branch  of  the  Tennessee,  where  the 
path  which  leads  from  Nashville  to  the  Chickasaw  Na- 
tion crosses  it,  is  about  60  miles  from  the  Cumberland 
settlement — about  a  south-west  course.  About  100 


72  DIARY  OF 

miles  further  in  the  same  direction  is  the  nearest 
Chickasaw  towns — the  mouth  of  Duck  River  by  water, 
he  supposes  may  be  near  200  miles  below  the  Muscle 
Shoals. 

Cumberland  Settlements  are  not  very  compact — they  ex- 
tend from  the  mouth  of  Red  River,  a  north  branch  of 
Cumberland  River,  up  to  Bledsoe's  Creek,  being  about 
80  or  90  miles.  The  strength  of  the  militia  about  800 
— and  increasing  fast — thinks  they  may  be  now  by  the 
late  emigrations  1,000. 

From  Nashville  to  Lexington  is  about  200  or  210  miles, 
by  land — and  from  Nashville  to  the  Falls  of  Ohio  is 
about  140  miles,  by  land. 

From  the  mouth  of  the  Tennessee  up  to  the  Muscle 
Shoals  the  navigation  is  good — equal  to  that  of  the 
Ohio  below  the  Falls — the  width  of  the  river  near  half 
a  mile,  in  places  almost  double — the  distance  about  400 
miles. 

Chickasaws  have  no  towns  on  the  Tennessee — the  nigh- 
est  they  have  to  it  is  about  60  miles  from,  or  a  little 
below  Bear  Creek.  Their  principal  towns  he  has  un- 
derstood are  on  the  heads  of  a  fork  of  the  Mobile,  and 
on  the  head  of  the  Yazoos ;  the  number  of  their  war- 
riors is  about  800. 

Choctaws  lye  farther  to  the  southward  than  the  Chicka- 
saws, and  are  a  numerous  nation.  They  are  in  alliance 
with  the  Chickasaws,  and  he  has  heard  their  numbers 
estimated  at  7  or  8,000 — at  least  equal  to  those  of 
the  Creeks,  though  not  so  well  armed. 

McGillivray's  communications  with  the  Cherokees  he 
conceives  have  a  constant  tendency  to  excite  them  to 
war  against  the  frontiers  of  Georgia  and  North  Caro- 


WASHINGTON.  73 

lina — or  at  least  cautioning  them  to  be  on  their  guard 
against  the  white  people,  and  infusing  suspicions  into 
the  minds  of  them.  The  Creeks  have  wanted  them  to 
join  in  a  war  against  the  white  people,  but  they  have 
refused,  and  would  be  glad  to  see  them  humbled  for 
the  insolence  with  which  they  treat  them. 

It  will  be  highly  pleasing  to  his  settlement — Miro — to 
hear  that  Congress  will  protect  it. 

WEDNESDAY,  27th. 

Did  business  with  the  Secretaries  of  the  Treasury  and 
War.  With  the  first  respecting  the  appointment  of  Super- 
intendents of  the  Light  Houses,  Buoys,  <fec.,  and  for  build- 
ing one  at  Cape  Henry.  With  the  latter  for  nominating 
persons  (named  in  a  list  submitted  to  me)  for  paying  the 
military  pensioners  of  the  United  States — and  the  policy 
and  advantages  (which  might  be  derived  from  the  measure) 
of  bringing  Mr.  Alex'r  McGillivray,  Chief  of  the  Creek 
Nation  here,  being  submitted  to  me  for  consideration,  I  re- 
quested that  a  plan  might  be  reported  by  which  Govern- 
ment might  not  appear  to  be  the  agent  in  it,  or  suffer  in  its 
dignity  if  the  attempt  to  get  him  here  should  not  succeed. 

THURSDAY,  28th. 

Sent  a  letter  (with  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  of  the  State 
of  Rhode  Island,  for  calling  a  Convention  of  that  State,  to 
decide  on  the  Constitution  of  the  Union,)  from  Governor 
Collins,  to  both  Houses  of  Congress — to  do  which,  was  re- 
quested by  the  act,  of  the  President. 

The  following  gentlemen  dined  here,  viz  :  the  Vice-Pres- 
ident, the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury — Messrs.  Schuyler, 
Morris,  Izard,  Dalton  and  Butler,  of  the  Senate  ;  and 
Messrs.  Smith,  (South  Carolina,)  Stone,  Schureman,  Fitz- 
simmons,  Sedgwick,  Huger,  and  Madison,  of  the  House  of 
Representatives. 


74  DIARY   OP 

FRIDAY,  29th. 

Exercised  on  horseback  this  forenoon  ;  during  my  ride, 
Mr.  Johnston,  one  of  the  Senators  from  North  Carolina, 
who  had  just  arrived,  came  to  pay  his  respects,  as  did  Mr. 
Gushing,  one  of  the  Associate  Judges — the  latter  came 
again  about  3  o'clock,  introduced  by  the  Yice-President. 

Received  from  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina,  an  Act 
of  the  Legislature  of  that  State,  authorizing  the  Senators 
thereof,  or  one  of  the  Senators  and  two  of  the  Representa- 
tives, to  make  (on  certain  conditions)  a  Deed  of  Session  of 
their  Western  Territory,  described  within  certain  natural 
boundaries  ;  and  requesting  that  the  same  should  be  laid 
before  the  Congress  of  the  United  States. 

Received  also  a  letter  from  the  Baron  de  Steuben,  decla- 
rative of  his  distresses  ;  occasioned  by  the  non-payment  or 
non-fulfilment  of  the  contract  which  was  made  with  him  by 
the  Congress  under  the  former  Confederation,40  and  re- 
questing my  official  interference  in  his  behalf.  The  deli- 
cacy of  this  case  from  the  nature  and  long  laboring  of  it, 
requires  consideration. 

The  visitors  to  Mrs.  Washington  this  evening  were  nu- 
merous and  respectable. 

SATURDAY,  30th. 

Exercised  with  Mrs.  Washington  and  the  children  in  the 
coach  in  the  forenoon.  Walked  around  the  Battery  in  the 
afternoon. 

SUNDAY,  31st. 

Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon. 


40.  On  the  13th  of  June,  1785,  the  Continental  Congress  resolved  to  pay 
Baron  de  Steuben  the  sum  of  $1,826,  with  the  interest  thereon.  On  the 
27th  of  September  following,  a  further  sum  of  .seven  thousand  dollars  was 
voted  to  be  paid  to  him.  These  sums  were  to  be  given  in  consideration  of 
his  services  during  the  Revolution. 


WASHINGTON.  75 

Mr.  Wilson,  one  of  the  Associate  Judges  of  the  Supreme 

Court,  paid  his  respects  to  me  after  I  returned  from  church. 

Spent  the  afternoon  in  writing  letters  to  Mount  Vernon. 

FEBRUARY,    1790. 
MONDAY,  1st. 

Agreed  on  Saturday  last  to  take  Mr.  Me  Combs'  house, 
lately  occupied  by  the  Minister  of  France,  for  one  year 
from  and  after  the  first  day  of  May  next ;  and  would  go 
into  it  immediately,  if  Mr.  Otto,  the  present  possessor, 
could  be  accommodated  ;  and  this  day  sent  my  Secretary 
to  examine  the  rooms  to  see  how  my  furniture  could  be 
adapted  to  the  respective  apartments. 

TUESDAY,  2d. 

Exercised  in  the  carriage  with  Mrs.  Washington. 

On  my  return  found  Mr.  Blair,  one  of  the  Associate 
Judges,  the  Attorney-General  of  the  United  States,  and 
Col.  Bland  here. 

The  Levee  to-day  was  much  crowded,  and  very  respecta- 
ble ;  among  other  company,  the  District  Judge  and  Attor- 
ney, with  the  Marshall  and  all  the  Grand  Jurors  of  the 
Federal  District  Court,  (and  a  respectable  body  they  were) 
attended. 

Sent  (yesterday)  the  Deed  of  Session  of  the  Western 
Lands,  by  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  to  the  United 
States,  to  both  Houses  of  Congress. 

WEDNESDAY,  3d. 

Visited  the  apartments  in  the  house  of  Mr.  Me  Combs — 
made  a  disposition  of  the  rooms — fixed  on  some  furniture 
of  the  Minister's  (which  was  to  be  sold,  and  was  well  adapt- 


76  DIARY  OF 

ed  to  particular  public  rooms) — and  directed  additional 
stables  to  be  built.41 

THURSDAY,  4th. 

Received  from  a  Committee  of  both  Houses  of  Congress, 
an  Act  entitled  "  An  Act  for  giving  effect  to  the  several 
Acts  therein  mentioned,  in  respect  to  the  State  of  North 
Carolina,  and  other  purposes." 

The  following  company  dined  here,  viz  :  The  Vice-Pres- 
ident, the  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States,  Judges  Gush- 
ing, Wilson,  and  Blair,  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  Judge 
Duane,  of  the  District  Court  ;  the  Attorney-General  of  the 
United  States  (Randolph)  ;  the  Marshall,  Attorney,  and 
Clerk  of  the  District,  viz  :  Smith,  Harrison,  and  Troup  ; 
Mr.  Johnson  and  Mr.  Hawkins,  of  the  Senate,  and  the  Sec- 
retaries of  the  Treasury  and  War  Departments,  to  wit : — 
Hamilton  and  Knox. 

FRIDAY,  5th. 

Received  from  Doctr.  Williamson,  of  North  Carolina,  a 
list  of  names  whom  he  thought  would  be  proper  to  fill  the 
Revenue  offices  in  that  State.  Submitted  the  same  to  the 
Senators  of  that  State  for  their  inspection  and  alteration. 

.  SATURDAY,  6th. 

Walked  to  my  newly  engaged  lodgings  to  fix  on  a  spot 
for  a  new  stable  which  I  was  about  to  build.  Agreed  with 

to  erect  one  30  feet  square,  16  feet  pitch,  to  contain 

12  single  stalls  ;  a  hay  loft,  racks,  mangers,  &c. ;  planked 


41.  This  was  on  Broadway,  west  side,  a  little  below  Trinity  Church.  It 
was  subsequently  occupied  as  a  hotel,  and  was  called  The.  Mansion  House. 
The  residence  previously  occupied  by  the  President  was  on  Cherry  street, 
just  out  of  Franklin  Square.  By  the  removal  of  some  buildings  at  the 
junction  of  Pearl  and  Cherry  streets,  that  house  had  a  front  on  Franklin 
Square  for  many  years.  It  was  demolished  in  1856. 


WASHINGTON.  77 

floor,  and  underpinned  with  stone,  with  windows  between 
each  stall,  for  .£65. 

The  resignation  of  Mr.  Harrison  as  an  Associate  Judge, 
making  a  nomination  of  some  other  character  to  supply  his 
place  necessary,  I  determined,  after  contemplating  every 
character  which  presented  itself  to  my  view,  to  name  Mr. 
Iredell,  of  North  Carolina ;  because,  in  addition  to  the 
reputation  he  sustains  for  abilities,  legal  knowledge,  and 
respectability  of  character,  he  is  of  a  State  of  some  impor- 
tance in  the  Union — that  has  given  no  character  to  a  fed- 
eral office.  In  ascertaining  the  character  of  this  gentleman, 
I  had  recourse  to  every  means  of  information  in  my  power, 
and  found  them  all  concurring  in  his  favor. 

SUNDAY,  7th. 
Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon. 

MONDAY,  8th. 

Nominated  officers  for  the  Revenue  department  in  North 
Carolina.  Mr.  Iredell  as  an  Associate  Judge  ;  and  all  those 
who  had  been  temporarily  appointed  during  the  recess  of 
the  Senate  to  fill  resigned  offices  ;  likewise  Major  Samuel 
Shaw,  as  Consul  for  Canton,  in  China. 

Sent  the  Bill  which  had  been  presented  to  me  on  Thurs- 
day last,  back  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  with  my 
approved  signature. 

TUESDAY,  9th. 

A  good  deal  of  company  at  the  Levee  to-day. 
Exercised  on  horseback  in  the  forenoon. 

WEDNESDAY,  10th. 

Sat  from  9  until  11  o'clock  for  Mr.  Trumbull  to  draw  my 
11 


78  DIARY   OP 

picture  in  his  historical  pieces.42  Dispatched  Commis- 
sions, and  all  the  necessary  Acts,  to  the  Revenue  officers 
in  North  Carolina. 

THURSDAY,  llth. 

Exercised  on  horseback  in  the  forenoon. 

The  following  gentlemen  dined  here,  viz  :  Messrs.  Leon- 
ard and  Groal,  of  Massachusetts  ;  Huntington  and  Sturges, 
of  Connecticut ;  Silvester,  of  New  York  ;  Sinnickson,  of 
New  Jersey  ;  Gale,  of  Maryland  ;  and  Bland,  Parker  and 
Moore,  of  Virginia. 

FRIDAY,  12th. 

Sat  from  9  o'clock  until  11,  for  Mr.  John  Trumbull,  for 
the  purpose  of  drawing  my  picture. 

A  good  deal  of  company  (gentlemen  and  ladies)  to  visit 
Mrs.  Washington  this  afternoon. 

SATURDAY,  13th. 

"Walked  in  the  forenoon  to  the  house  to  which  I  am 
about  to  remove.  Gave  directions  for  the  management  of 
the  furniture,  &c.,  and  had  some  of  it  put  up. 

SUNDAY,  14th. 
At  home  all  day — writing  private  letters  to  Virginia. 

MONDAY,  15th. 

Sat  between  9  and  11,  for  Mr.  John  Trumbull. 

Sent  to  both  Houses  of  Congress  a  Letter  from  the  Pres- 


42.  These  ' '  historical  pieces ' '  were  the  battles  of  Trenton  and  Prince- 
ton. Mr.  Trumbull  had  arrived  from  Paris  in  November,  1789,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  paint  as  many  of  the  heads  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence  as  were  present  in  Congress,  at  the  second  session,  which 
commenced  hi  New  York  on  the  fourth  of  January,  1790.  At  the  same 
time  he  painted  the  portrait  of  Washington  on  horseback,  for  his  "  histo- 
rical pieces,"  above  referred  to. 


WASHINGTON.  79 

ident  of  New  Hampshire,  enclosing  the  adopted  articles  of 
amendments  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  pro- 
posed by  the  latter  at  its  last  session,  to  the  States  indi- 
vidually. Perused  two  letters  to  Col°-  Hawkins,  of  the 
Senate,  sent  to  me  by  the  Secretary  of  War  for  my  infor- 
mation. The  one  from  a  Landin  Clark,  dated  Nashville, 
Warren  County,  the  8th  of  Sept'r,  1789 ;  the  other  from 
Brig'r  Genl.  Joseph  Martin,  dated  Smith's  River,  Jan.  7, 
1790.  The  first  of  these  letters  mentions  that  the  loose  and 
disorderly  people  that  first  settled  the  district  in  which  he 
is,  remove,  as  government  (by  means  of  the  Superior  Court) 
is  extended  amongst  them,  and  supplied  by  persons  of  bet- 
ter character  and  morals.  That  the  Spanish  Governor  of 
Louisiana  is  holding  out  every  lure  to  invite  the  citizens  of 
the  United  States  to  settle  under  that  government.  That 
a  Doctor  White,  who  has  been  some  time  at  New  Orleans? 
does  not  seem  to  like  the  government,  and  discourages  our 
settlers  from  migrating  to  it  till  it  can  at  least  be  seen  what 
measures  the  government  of  the  Union  will  take  respecting 
the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi.  That  conventions  which 
it  had  been  proposed  to  hold  in  Kentucky,  and  other  dis- 
tricts of  the  western  country,  for  the  purpose  of  addressing 
the  old  Congress  on  this  subject,  had  been  proposed  for  the 
same  reason.  That  there  was  no  appearance  of  giving  up 
the  Posts  of  the  Natchez  to  the  United  States,  though  it 
was  within  their  territory  ;  on  the  contrary,  Roman  Cath- 
olic Churches  were  built  there,  and  provision  made  for 
newly  arrived  priests.  That  the  Spanish  Governor  has  said 
that  it  is  not  want  of  land  that  make  them  oppose  our  settle- 
ments, or  which  causes  them  to  withhold  the  navigation  of 
the  Mississippi  from  us,  but  because  they  do  not  like  our 
advancing  in  such  numbers,  and  so  fast  upon  them.  In 
short,  they  act  under  the  operation  of  fear  and  jealousy, 
though  they  will  not  acknowledge  these  to  be  the  motives 


80  DIARY   OF 

for  their  conduct.  That  it  has  been  reported  through  the 
Western  Settlements  that  Mr.  Gardoqui  had  invited  them 
to  put  themselves  under  the  Spanish  government,  with  as- 
surances of  peace  and  trade  as  consequences  of  it  ;  and  that 
the  Governor,  by  proclamation,  had  invited  them  to  become 
inhabitants  of  Louisiana.  That  any  person  (he  is  informed) 
may  take  produce  to  New  Orleans,  paying  15  pr.  ct.  duty 
to  the  King.  That  the  force  (military)  in  the  two  Floridas 
consist  of  two  regiments,  of  600  men  each  ;  and  he  is  told 
a  third  is  ordered  to  be  raised,  to  consist  entirely  of  Span- 
iards by  birth.  That  the  district  in  which  he  is,  populates 
fast  and  will  soon  make  a  State.  And  as  the  navigation  of 
the  Mississippi  is  essential  to  them,  it  must  be  obtained  by 
treaty,  or  by  force,  or  they  must  connect  themselves  with 
the  Spaniards.  That  it  is  not  supposed  the  two  Floridas 
and  Louisiana  contain  more  than  20,000  souls.  That  the 
distance  from  Nashville  to  New  Orleans  by  land  (which  he 
has  traveled)  is  about  450  or  500  miles,  and  not  a  mountain 
and  hardly  a  hill  in  the  way.  That  this  year  he  supposes 
they  will  make  300  hhds.  of  tobacco— for  which  3^d.  only 
is  given,  when  the  Spaniard  gets  10  dollars  pr.  hd.  wt. 

The  other  letter  from  Gen.  Martin  encloses  the  report  of 
a  Committee  of  the  Assembly  of  North  Carolina,  which  had 
been  appointed  to  examine  into  a  correspondence  between 
him  and  Mr.  McGillivray,  by  which  he  stands  acquitted  of 
any  intention  to  injure  the  United  States,  or  any  of  them. 
Informs  him  that  from  tolerable  good  information,  he  has 
just  heard  that  the  Chickasaw  Nation  had  made  a  stroke  at 
the  Chicamages  Indians,  and  were  driving  all  before  them. 
That  several  women  and  children  of  the  latter  had  run  to 
the  inhabitants  of  Little  River  for  refuge.  That  he  shall 
set  out  in  a  few  days,  and  as  soon  as  the  particulars  can  be 
known  will  give  information  of  them.  Wishes  to  know 
whether  Congress  approves  of  this  war  or  not.  Thinks  he 


WASHINGTON.  81 

can  easily  stop  it,  if  it  does  not  meet  their  approbation. 
But  adds,  their  wars  with  one  another  may  be  the  means  of 
peace  to  our  frontiers.  Requests  a  hint  on  the  subject  by 
way  of  Richmond,  directed  to  the  care  of  the  Post-master 
there.43 

TUESDAY,  16th. 

Intended  to  have  used  exercise  on  horseback,  but  the 
weather  prevented  my  doing  it.  Rode  to  my  intended 
habitation,  and  gave  some  directions  respecting  the  man- 
agement of  the  furniture. 

The  Levee  to-day  was  thin. 

Received  some  papers  from  the  Secretary  at  War  respect- 
ing a  correspondence  to  be  opened  between  Col.  Hawkins, 
of  the  Senate,  and  Mr.  McGillivray,  of  the  Creek  Nation, 
for  the  purpose  of  getting  the  latter,  with  some  other  chiefs 
of  that  nation  to  this  place,  as  an  expedient  to  avert  a  war 
with  them.  But,  the  commissioning  a  person  to  negotiate 
this  business  with  Mr.  McGillivray,  without  laying  the 
matter  before  the  Senate,  and  the  expense  of  the  business 
appearing  to  bring  in  question  the  powers  of  the  President, 
I  requested  to  see  and  converse  with  the  Secretary  of  War, 
to-morrow,  on  this  subject. 

WEDNESDAY,  17th. 

The  Secretary  attending ;  and  reference  being  had  to 
the  Act  constituting  the  Department  of  War,  and  the  Act 


43.  This  matter  is  in  relation  to  Tennessee,  which  had  belonged  to  North 
Carolina.  It  was  erected  into  a  Territory  in  1790,  (having  been  ceded  to 
the  United  States,  by  North  Carolina,  in  1784,)  under  the  title  of  "Terri- 
tory south  of  the  river  Ohio, ' '  as  distinguished  from  the  ' '  North-western 
Territory."  In  1789,  the  Legislature  of  North  Carolina  authorized  its 
representatives  hi  Congress  to  execute  deeds  of  conveyance  of  Tennessee  to 
the  United  States,  which  they  did  the  following  year.  Tennessee  was  ad 
mitted  into  the  Union  in  1796. 


82  DIARY   OF 

appropriating  20,000  dollars  for  the  expense  of  treating 
with  the  Southern  Indians  seeming  to  remove  (at  least  in  a 
degree)  the  above  doubts,  but  not  in  an  unequivocal  man- 
ner, I  desired  him  to  take  the  opinion  of  the  Chief  Justice 
of  the  United  States  and  that  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treas- 
ury on  these  points,  and  let  me  know  the  result. 

THURSDAY,  18th. 

Sat  for  Mr.  Trumbull  from  9  o'clock  till  10  ;  after  which 
exercised  in  the  post-chaise  with  Mrs.  Washington.  On 
our  return  home  called  on  Mrs.  Adams,  lady  of  the  Vice- 
President. 

The  following  company  dined  here  to-day,  viz  : — Judge 
Gushing  and  his  lady ;  the  Postmaster  General  and  his 
lady,  and  Messrs.  Boudinot,  Griffin,  Coles,  Gerry,  and 
White,  and  their  ladies. 

Sent  a  Message  to  the  Senate  with  the  copies  of  a  letter 
from  the  Governor  of  Massachusetts,  and  a  resolve  of  the 
Assembly  of  that  State,  respecting  the  disputed  boundary 
between  them  and  the  British  of  Nova  Scotia. 

FRIDAY,  19th. 

Exercised  on  horseback  about  9  o'clock.  Walked  after- 
wards to  my  new  house. 

Received  a  Capt.  Drew,  Com'r  of  a  British  sloop  of  war, 
sent  express  to  Sir  John  Temple,  Consul- General  of  that 
nation  in  the  United  States. 

The  visitors  this  evening  to  Mrs.  Washington  were  nu- 
merous and  respectable.. 

SATURDAY,  20th. 

Sat  from  9  until  11,  for  Mr.  Trumbull.  Walked  after- 
wards to  my  new  house — then  rode  a  few  miles  with  Mrs. 
Washington  and  the  children  before  dinner  ;  after  which 


WASHINGTON.  83 

I  again  visited  my  new  house  in  my  coach  (because  it 
rained). 

SUNDAY,  21st. 

Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon — wrote  let- 
ters respecting  my  domestic  concerns  afterwards. 

MONDAY,  22d. 

Set  seriously  about  removing  my  furniture  to  my  new 
house.  Two  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  family  had  their  beds 
taken  there,  and  would  sleep  there  to-night. 

TUESDAY,  23d. 

Few  or  no  visitors  at  the  Levee  to-day,  from  the  idea  of 
my  being  on  the  move.  After  dinner,  Mrs.  Washington, 
myself,  and  children  removed,  and  lodged  at  our  new  hab- 
itation. 

WEDNESDAY,  24th. 

Employed  in  arranging  matters  about  the  house  and  fix- 
ing matters. 

THURSDAY,  25th. 

Engaged  as  yesterday. 

In  the  afternoon  a  Committee  of  Congress  presented  an 
Act  for  enumerating  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States. 

FRIDAY,  26th. 

A  numerous  company  of  gentlemen  and  ladies  were  here 
this  afternoon. 

Exercised  on  horseback  this  forenoon. 

SATURDAY,  27th. 

Sat  for  Mr.  Trumbull  this  forenoon  ;  after  which  exer- 
ci^ed  in  the  coach  with  Mrs.  Washington  and  the  children. 


84  DIABY   OP 

SUNDAY,  28th. 

Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon.  Wrote  let- 
ters on  private  business  afterwards. 

MARCH,    1790. 
MONDAY,  1st. 

Exercised  on  horseback  this  forenoon,  attended  by  Mr. 
John  Trumbull,  who  wanted  to  see  me  mounted. 

Informed  the  House  of  Representatives  (where  the  Bill 
originated)  that  I  had  given  my  assent  to  the  act  for  taking 
a  Census  of  the  People. 

Also  communicated  to  both  Houses  the  application  from 
the  field  officers  of  Harrison  County,  (made  through  the 
County  Lieutenant,  Col°-  Duval,)  for  assistance,  as  they 
apprehend  the  season  was  near  at  hand  when  Indian  depre- 
dations would  be  commenced.  With  these,  some  other 
papers  respecting  the  Western  Frontiers  were  sent. 

TUESDAY,  2d. 

Much  and  respectable  company  was  at  the  Levee  to-day. 
Caused  a  letter  to  be  written  to  the  Gov'r  of  St.  Jago, 
respecting  the  imprisonment  of  a  Capt.  Hammond. 

WEDNESDAY,  3d. 
Exercised  on  horseback  between  9  and  11  o'clock. 

THURSDAY,  4th. 

Sat  from  9  until  half  after  10  o'clock  for  Mr.  Trumbull. 

The  following  gentlemen  dined  here  to-day,  viz : — The 
Yice-President,  Messrs.  Langdon,  Wingate,  Dalton,  Strong, 
Ellsworth,  Schuyler,  King,  Patterson,  Morris,  McClay,Bas- 
sett,  Henry,  Johnson,  Hawkins,  Izard,  Butler,  and  Few,  all 
of  the  Senate. 


WASHINGTON.  85 

FRIDAY,  5th. 

A  very  numerous  company  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  here 
this  evening. 

SATURDAY,  6th. 

Exercised  in  the  coach  with  Mrs.  Washington  and  the 
children,  and  in  the  afternoon  walked  around  the  Battery. 

Received  a  letter  from  the  Governor  of  the  western  ter- 
ritory, dated  at  the  Rapids  of  Ohio,44  giving  an  account  of 
the  state  of  affairs  in  the  western  country. 

SUNDAY,  7th. 
At  home  all  day — writing  letters  on  private  business. 

MONDAY,  8th. 

Sent  to  both  Houses  of  Congress  the  Resolves  of  the 
Delaware  State,  to  adopt  and  make  part  of  the  Constitu- 
tion of  the  United  States,  the  amendments  proposed  by  the 
General  Government — except  the  first  article  of  the  said 
amendments,  the  consideration  of  which  they  postponed. 

TUESDAY,  9th. 

A  good  many  gentlemen  attended  the  Levee  to-day — 
among  whom  were  many  members  of  Congress. 

WEDNESDAY,  10th. 

Exercised  on  horseback  between  9  and  11  o'clock.  On 
my  return  had  a  long  conversation  with  Col°-  Willet,  who 
was  engaged  to  go  as  a  private  agent,  but  for  public  pur- 
poses, to  Mr.  McGillivray,  principal  chief  of  the  Creek 
Nation.  In  this  conversation  he  was  impressed  with  the 
critical  situation  of  our  affairs  with  that  nation — the  im- 
portance of  getting  him  and  some  other  chiefs  to  this  city 


44.  Now  Louisville,  Kentucky. 

12 


86  DIARY   OP 

— the  arguments  justifiable  for  him  to  use  to  effect  this — 
with  such  lures  as  respected  McGillivray  personally,  and 
might  be  held  out  to  him.  His  (Col°-  Willet's)  going  was 
not  to  have  the  appearance  of  a  governmental  act — he,  and 
the  business  he  went  upon,  would  be  introduced  to  McGil- 
livray by  Col°-  Hawkins,  of  the  Senate,  (from  North  Caro- 
lina,)fcwho  was  a  correspondent  of  M'Gillivray's — but  he 
would  be  provided  with  a  passport  to  him  and  other  Indian 
Chiefs,  if  they  inclined  to  make  use  of  it ;  but  not  to  part 
with  it  if  they  did  not.  The  letter  from  Col°-  Hawkins  to 
McGillivray  was  calculated  to  bring  to  his  and  the  view  of 
the  Creek  Nation  the  direful  consequences  of  a  rupture  with 
the  United  States.  The  disposition  of  the  general  govern- 
ment to  deal  justly  and  honorably  by  them — and  the  means 
by  which  they,  the  Creeks,  may  avert  the  calamities  of  war, 
which  must  be  brought  on  by  the  disorderly  people  of  both 
nations,  if  a  Treaty  is  not  made  and  observed.  His  instruc- 
tions relative  to  the  principal  points  to  be  negotiated  would 
be  given  to  Col°-  Willet,  in  writing,  by  the  Secretary  of 
War. 

THURSDAY,  llth. 

A  Letter  from  Arthur  Campbell,  Esqr.,  of  Washington 
County,  Virginia,  to  the  Secretary  at  War,  was  put  into 
my  hands  by  the  latter,  containing  the  following  informa- 
tion—the letter  dated  6th  Feb.,  '90  : 

That  half  the  Cherokee  Nation  would  desire  to  remain 
neuter  in  case  of  a  war  between  the  United  States  and 
the  Creek  Indians,  viz  : — those  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Chota,  and  all  those  which  are  called  the  Middle  Set- 
tlements. The  towns  on  the  Tennessee  below  Hiwas- 
see,  and  those  on  the  heads  of  the  Caussa,  would  aid 
the  Creeks. 


WASHINGTON.  87 

That  from  the  Long  Island  in  Holstein  to  the  Junction 
of  French  Broad,  the  navigation  is  equal  to  that  of 
Monongahela  between  the  mouth  of  Cheat  and  Pitts- 
burgh— below  it,  it  is  exceeding  good  to  where  the 
river  passes  through  Cumberland  Mountain,  a  dis- 
tance of  about  150  miles  by  water.  Here  the  river 
runs  with  great  rapidity  against  a  steep  rock,  which 
forms  its  bank  and  makes  a  short  turn,  and  gives  this 
place  the  name  of  the  whirl ;  the  river  here  being  not 
more  than  the  fourth  of  its  common  breadth — above 
and  below  it  is  very  deep  but  not  dangerous,  with 
care. 

That  from  this  place  the  river  runs  with  a  gentle  current 
southerly,  near  the  foot  of  the  Cumberland  Mountain, 
on  the  west  side  for  about  100  miles,  (something  east- 
wardly  of  this  distance  the  mountain  ends,)  then  it  be- 
gins to  turn  northwardly  100  miles  more  to  the  upper 
end  of  the  Muscle  Shoals. 

That  these  Muscle  Shoals  are  gentle  rapids  for  about  30 
miles,  and  the  difficulty  lays  in  strangers  missing  the 
right  channel — the  river  being  2  miles  wide  and  full  of 
small  islands. 

That  the  Creek  landing  on  the  Tennessee  is  about  80 
miles  below  the  whirl,  from  whence  there  is  a  good 
road  to  the  Caussa,  on  the  branches  of  which,  and  the 
Alabama  river,  (both  waters  of  the  Mobile)  most  of  the 
upper  Creeks  live. 

That  below  the  Muscle  Shoals  a  row-boat  of  any  size  may 
ascend  the  river  with  almost  the  same  facility  it  passes 
downwards. 

That  from  Nashville  to  the  lower  settlements  on  Holstein 
the  new  road  is  computed  180  miles.  Miro  is  the 
name  of  the  district. 

That  from  Nashville  to  the  Muscle  Shoals  is  70  miles. 


3  DIARY   OF 

That  it  is  the  upper  Creeks  generally,  the  Cherokees  of 

the  lower  towns,  to  wit,  Chickamaga, Jack  and 

Crews  Town,  that  give  annoyance  to  the  Southern  set- 
tlements of  Kentucky,  the  path  through  the  wilder- 
ness, and  the  Holstein  settlements. 
That  the  Miro  District  (which  contains  all  the  Cumber- 
land settlements,)  can  raise  800  good  militia  men — to- 
tal number  of  inhabitants  may  be  about  4,000,  besides 
slaves. 

That  Washington  District  in  North  Carolina  contains 
4,000  militia,  and  Washington  District  in  Virginia 
about  2,000  militia — the  two  latter  mostly  in  Holstein 
Valley. 

That  Kentucky  District  has  between  8  and  10,000  men. 
That  in  his  opinion  a  regiment  of  militia  could  be  raised 
to  go  against  the  Southern  Indians,  to  serve  one  com- 
pany in  six  weeks  after  the  officers  should  receive  or- 
ders for  the  purpose,  and  that  before  the  expiration  of 
that  time  560  regular  troops  could  be  enlisted  to  serve 
three  years  or  better — call  them  rangers.  THe  light 
infantry  companies  and  troops  and  horse  of  in  the  dif- 
ferent western  counties  might  be  ordered  into  service 
agreeable  to  the  existing  laws  of  Virginia.  Out  of 
these  a  fine  Ranging  Regiment  might  be  enlisted. 
That  the  distances,  aa  computed,  from  place  to  place,  are 
as  follows,  viz : 

From  Lexington,  in  Kentucky, 

To  Danville 30  miles. 

Green  River 60    " 

Big  Barren  River 60     " 

Red  River  Station 40    " 

Nashville,  on  Cumb'd.  ..25     " 

Muscle  Shoals 70    " 

285. 


WASHINGTON.  89 

From  Lexington  to  Crab  Orchard 40  miles. 

To  Cumberland  Gap 100     " 

The  mouth  of  Hiwassee 75    " 

Big  Shoemac  Town,  (Cherokee). .  .40     ' 

Creek  Towns 60    " 

315. 

From  Nashville  to  Holstein — 

To  Bledsoes  Lick 30  miles. 

Big  Salt  Lick,  (Cumber'd) 30    " 

Junction  of  the  Holstein  and  Ten- 
nessee     100     " 

160. 

From  the  mouth  of  Holstein,  the  direct  way  to  the  Creek 
Towns — 

To  Hiwassee  old  Town  (Cherokees)...40  miles. 

Big  Shoemac 30    " 

Upper  Creeks  or  Caussa  Waters.. 60 


130. 


The  following  gentlemen  dined  here  to-day,  viz  : 
Mr.  Read,  of  the  Senate,  the  Speaker,  and  the  following 
gentlemen  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  viz  : — Messrs. 
Oilman,  Goodhue,  Aimes,  WadsWorth,  Trumbull,  Benson, 
Lawrence,  Peter  Muhlenberg,  Wynkoop,  Vining,  Carroll, 
Contee,  Madison,  Page,  and  Sumpter — also  Judge  Bedford 
and  Mr.  John  Trumbull. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  AT  LOS  ANGELES 

THE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below 

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MAR  2  2  1960 


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